Where Taiwan stands
The article, “The ‘right to health’ goal and a role for Taiwan” (Editorial page, May 10), mixes up concepts of “Taiwan’s participation in WHO”. To begin with, Taiwan is not eligible. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations, restricted to only sovereign states. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China — a fact that is recognised in a UN resolution and also universal consensus by the international community. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China.
On “Taiwan’s participation in WHO”, China has clearly stated its position a number of times, which is that any questions about Taiwan’s participation in international organisations must be arranged under the one-China principle. However, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been stubbornly adhering to a “Taiwan independence” separatist stance, and has refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, thus undermining the political foundation for the region’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA).
