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Taiwan invited to attend World Health Assembly

ROC Central News Agency

2009.04.29 16:19:24

By Y.F. Low

Taipei, April 29 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou announced Wednesday that Taiwan has been invited to take part as an observer in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) , a major step forward in Taiwan's campaign for meaning participation in international organizations.

Taiwan's possible presence at the annual meeting of the decision-making arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) will mark the first time that the country has been allowed to participate in a meeting or activity of United Nations specialized agencies since losing its U.N. membership to China in 1971.

This is also the first time Taiwan will be allowed to take part in the WHA after 12 failed attempts at WHA participation since 1997.

Ma attributed the achievement to the goodwill displayed by Beijing toward Taiwan after the inauguration last May of his administration, which has been working to improve cross-Taiwan Strait ties and has adopted a moderate approach to promote foreign relations.

Ma also praised the strong support of prominent members of the international community, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as helping with the campaign.

Efforts made by various groups in Taiwan regardless of political affiliation also made important contributions to the cause, Ma said.

"Participation in the activities of the WHO is not merely a political issue. More importantly, it is a human rights issue, and the health and medical rights of Taiwan's 23 million people should not get overlooked, " the president said during a high-level meeting attended by administration officials.

According to Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yeh Ching-chuan, Taiwan received a letter from the WHO Tuesday night inviting it to attend as an observer in the WHA's annual meeting scheduled for May 18-27 in Geneva.

The letter, addressed to Yeh and signed by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, extends the invitation to "the Department of Health, Chinese Taipei." "I would appreciate if you could confirm the attendance of the Department of Health, Chinese Taipei, and the names of the attendees at your earliest convenience," the letter read.

Analysts said the use of the name "Chinese Taipei" by the WHO could signify a policy change by the world body, which had previously stuck to the name "Taiwan, China" or "Taiwan, province of China" in its official documents to reflect the United Nations' "one China" policy.

Yeh explained that obtaining observer status in the WHA will enable Taiwan to maintain direct contact with the WHO to exchange information on disease control and prevention, better protecting the health and safety of the people in Taiwan.

Yeh said the DOH will assemble a 15-member delegation comprised of 12 health officials and three public health experts to attend the event, and that the team is expected to arrive in Geneva May 17.

Journalists from Taiwan are also expected to be allowed to cover this year's WHA for the first time in five years, he said.

Taiwanese journalists used to be able to cover the annual event, but authorization was withdrawn in 2004 under pressure from China, on grounds that Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations.

Taiwan has not been represented in the United Nations since 1971, when the Republic of China's seat was given to the People's Republic of China, and it has tried unsuccessfully -- thanks to Beijing's objections -- to have the United Nations consider the issue of its representation since 1993.

Unlike in 2007, when Taiwan made a high-profile push for full membership under the name "Taiwan, " the country promoted a bid in 2008 to "participate meaningfully in the activities of the U.N.

specialized agencies, " in line with Ma's "modus vivendi" diplomatic strategy that favors a moderate and pragmatic approach.

Ma first disclosed in March that representatives of Taiwan and China would meet overseas in April to discuss issues concerning Taiwan's participation in the WHA.

As to the membership name preferred by the government in joining international organizations, Ma said the country's official name of "the Republic of China" remains the government's top choice.

Coming in second would be "Taiwan, " followed by "Chinese Taipei" -- the name used by Taiwan when competing in the Olympic Games and many other sports events, he said.