Secretary of State Anthony Blinken released a statement Friday saying “there is no reasonable reason to exclude Taiwan further” from the World Health Assembly, the annual international meeting of nearly every country in the world to be held on May 24. Although the United Nations considers Taiwan a part of China, the United States feels Taiwan deserves its place on the table, especially because of its early and effective response to the Covid-19 epidemic, which was first observed in Hubei Province, China. Newsweek.
Taiwan previously participated as an observer in the forum as “Chinese Taipei” from 2008 to 2016, but the invitation was withdrawn due to increased tensions after the election of DPP Chairman Tsai Ing-wen.
“The challenges of global health and global health security do not respect borders nor acknowledge political debates,” Blinken said. “Taiwan provides valuable contributions and lessons learned from its approach to these issues, and the leadership of the World Health Organization and all responsible nations must recognize that excluding the interests of 24 million people from the World Health Assembly will only endanger and not advance our shared global health goals.” The US Secretary of State argued.
Although Washington severed official ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing nearly 50 years ago, the United States continues to provide political and military assistance to the island. The continuing, informal and growing relationship between the United States and Taiwan has angered China, with President Xi Qingping promising to reunify Taiwan, either through diplomacy or by force. The strong growth of the People’s Liberation Army in the airspace claimed by Taiwan Caused anxiety On the island that his opponent may be preparing for an invasion.
“Taiwan independence is a dead end,” said Zhou Fenglian, spokesman for the Taiwan office in China. They also noted, “We have the resolve and ability to thwart all separatist activities of ‘Taiwan independence’, resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly defend the common interests of our citizens on both sides close by. Beijing continues and does not wait for the island country to join the WHO.
