Taiwan’s hopes of joining the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), were quashed once again on May 23, after China lobbied hard against the move. Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its own territory, has been vying for a seat in the assembly since 1971, when mainland China took away its seat at the assembly. Beijing has time and again argued that the territory is its own and should therefore be solely represented by mainland China. The debate has gained further momentum against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as Taiwan’s successful management of the outbreak has garnered international commendation. Yet, despite the island’s obvious potential to contribute to international public health discourse, Taipei appears no closer to gaining representation in the health council than it was 50 years ago.
Taiwan gained observer status in the WHA in 2009 under the name “Chinese Taipei.” However, it lost its seat in 2016 after Taiwanese strongman President Ma Ying-jeou left office and was replaced by President Tsai-ing Wen, who has taken a much harder stance against China. Since losing representation in the council, support for the autonomous region’s “meaningful participation” at the WHA has never been higher. This year, 13 member countries, including high-profile allies such as the United States (US), Japan, and the United Kingdom (UK), submitted a proposal supporting the island’s bid to participate.
In the face of a global health crisis, countries around the world must come together to protect the health of all our people. #Taiwan wants to do more to help combat COVID-19, so we call on the international community to #LetTaiwanHelp & support our participation in the #WHA. pic.twitter.com/SLKdUKpIBf
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 11, 2021
We are grateful to all our friends around the world for speaking up in support of #Taiwan's #WHA participation. It is clear to all that Taiwan can help the international community realise #HealthForAll. pic.twitter.com/y8Pjeusx5m
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 18, 2022
In fact, as proof of its strengthened resolve to counter Chinese influence over the territory, Washington recently signed a bill into law that requires the Secretary of State to formulate a strategy for the self-governing island to regain its observer status. The US’ overwhelming support for the island’s participation was also clear in the voting, with all 425 congressional representatives voting in favour; the bill then received Senate approval in August. In further evidence of this bipartisan support for the island nation, the Biden administration has kept in place the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act passed in 2019 under the Trump government; the act effectively prevents countries from breaking ties with Taiwan.
By the time the 75th session of the WHA opened nearly 90 countries had sent letters to the WHO to express their commitment to the one-China principle and opposition to Taiwan’s participation in the WHA.
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) May 23, 2022
In fact, Taiwan’s international support is not limited to just Washington. In May, the Czech Senate passed a resolution calling for Taiwan’s admittance to the WHA as an observer. The World Medical Association made the same demand in an open letter in April. However, despite this rise in support, Taipei has failed to move any closer to securing its position.
Membership, which is the highest form of participation, would help Taiwan to be viewed as an independent state. However, 161 of 198 countries in the Assembly have formal diplomatic relations with China and, by extension, also recognise the one-China policy. The policy is the diplomatic acceptance of China’s status as the sole legitimate government of Taiwan and thus prevents them from acknowledging that Taiwan is independent of China. The largely global acceptance of this policy gives Beijing the right to represent both mainland China and Taiwan in international organisations, which limit membership to formally recognised states.
#China's decision to deny Taiwan region access to 2021 #WHA is endorsed by 150+ countries via diplomatic channels. Among them, nearly 80 wrote to WHO to voice support to China. The #US attempt to squeeze Taiwan into WHA has no chance of success! pic.twitter.com/vSVgzA90Oy
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) May 22, 2021
In fact, Taiwan has official diplomatic relations with only 14 countries in the world, 13 of which are UN members, down from 15 after Nicaragua severed ties last December. While more countries, such as Lithuania, have formed friendly relations with the island, its official acceptance as a sovereign state is and continues to remain extremely narrow. This gives Taiwan extremely limited opportunities and platforms to make its case to be accepted as a member of the WHA and indeed other international fora. In this respect, widespread adherence to the one-China principle as well as China’s growing influence over international organisations serve as a significant roadblock.
Moreover, since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, international political analysts have grown increasingly concerned that China could seek to take similar action in Taiwan. In fact, Beijing has warned on several past occasions that reunification is only a matter of time and could be achieved via force if necessary.
#Taiwan’s exclusion from the #WHA is a loss, not just for 23 million Taiwanese, but for the whole world. To truly realize #HealthForAll, the @WHO must put politics aside, so that Taiwan can share our expertise & contribute more to global health. pic.twitter.com/26U4Pej1V0
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 24, 2021
Thank you to our friends around the world for recognising that #Taiwan's inclusion in the #WHA is vital to protecting global health. With your support, we will continue our work to create a healthier, safer world for all. pic.twitter.com/GmajlgiesC
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 24, 2021
Although both countries have dismissed the parallels between Ukraine and Taiwan, it appears that China remains steadfastly focused on reunification. Admiral Philip Davidson, the former head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, predicted last year that China will attempt to invade Taiwan in six years. Mirroring this prediction, Jin Canrong, a Chinese professor of international studies at the Renmin University of China, opined that the 2027 deadline also has a very symbolic value for the Communist Party, as it will mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping has explicitly called on the PLA to fully modernise itself by 2027.
To this end, China sent 51 military aircraft into Taiwan’s ADIZ in June alone, including 32 fighter jets and seven bombers. If China continues to build on these intimidatory measures, the question of Taiwan’s participation in the WHA may become irrelevant, as Beijing has stressed that reunification is a matter of when, not if. For an illustration of how Taiwan’s political autonomy may be slowly eroded, one need look no further than Hong Kong, where it has introduced the: national security law to arrest protesters; the Basic Law to ensure that only “patriots” vetted by Beijing can contest elections; and the Loyalty Law to criminally prosecute politicians who are found to be violating their oath of loyalty to Beijing.
We appreciate the Danish Parliament's adoption of a resolution backing #Lithuania🇱🇹 in the face of #China's coercion, urging #Denmark🇩🇰-#EU🇪🇺 solidarity on related issues & supporting #Taiwan's🇹🇼 bid for observer status in @WHO's WHA. We're #StrongerTogether! (📸 @denmarkdotdk) pic.twitter.com/UOkuL0hZi8
— 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MOFA_Taiwan) April 3, 2022
Thank you to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the #Slovakian🇸🇰 National Council for supporting #Taiwan’s🇹🇼 participation in the #WHA. During this global health crisis, it is more important than ever that we in Taiwan share our knowledge & expertise with the world. pic.twitter.com/CrzlDykZ0e
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 13, 2021
In this respect, Taiwan’s aspirations for a seat in world bodies may take a back seat to its larger objective of survival against a seemingly inevitable Chinese takeover or invasion.
Moreover, on the international front, even allied nations have made clear that they are unwilling to risk the wrath of China by siding with Taiwan. Therefore, unless the UN relaxes the rigidity in its framework or several more countries lobby for Taiwan’s participation by abandoning their adherence to the one-China principle, the island’s window for participation will continue to remain as narrow as it is now. Given Taiwan’s invaluable and unique experience and expertise in tackling pandemics, its continued exclusion from such forums not only strengthens China’s resolve and lends international legitimacy to its territorial claims but also undermines the global community’s ability to tackle future public health crises, which, too, appear inevitable.