Taiwan's goal of joining WHO 'unchanged' after U.S. withdrawal: MOFA

ROC Central News Agency

07/09/2020 02:26 PM

Taipei, July 9 (CNA) Taiwan's goal of joining the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as attending its annual World Health Assembly (WHA), remains "unchanged" despite the United States' decision to withdraw from the global health body, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reiterated on Thursday.

Membership has long been a wish of the Taiwanese people and part of the government's efforts to promote the country's participation in international organizations, MOFA said in a statement.

The ministry's response came after the Trump Administration this week delivered a formal letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, giving one-year notice of Washington's intention to leave the WHO.

Taiwan's success in dealing with the pandemic, the ministry said, has made the international community more aware of the need to include Taiwan in the global public health system.

According to MOFA, Taiwan's campaign to join the WHA this year saw its strongest support in recent years, with like-minded countries such as the U.S. voicing their support.

On Wednesday, MOFA spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said the foreign ministry will continue to pay close attention to developments concerning the U.S.' decision to leave the WHO.

She also indicated that Taiwan's goal of joining the global health body and participating in its annual assembly remains "unchanged."

(By Emerson Lim and Ko Lin)

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