Taiwan granted coveted Observer status at WHO

Su Jun-pin

Minister – Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)

Taiwan, seen as a successful example of democracy in Asia, has worked long and hard to implement political reform. It now hopes to use the enormous vitality of its flourishing market economy and human rights-oriented civil society to give something back to the international community.

Tense standoffs in past relations between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland stemming from a residual global and regional Cold War mentality regularly led to a "zero-sum game" competition between Taipei and Beijing for diplomatic partners. This mostly wasted the resources of both sides, upset members of the public on each side of the Taiwan Strait, and kept Taiwan from being able to contribute more to the international community.

President Ma Ying-jeouMa Ying-jeou, who received a mandate from the Taiwan public with his election in March 2008, has, since assuming office, extended an olive branch to Beijing, abandoning previous policies of stalemate and confrontation, and actively improving bilateral ties with the Chinese mainland to create a friendlier cross-strait situation. Now, the world no longer views Taiwan as a "troublemaker," and the U.S., Japan, EU and Taiwan's neighbors have warmly expressed support and praise for our efforts to promote regional peace.
Although improvement of cross-strait ties relies on the good will of both governments, long-lasting regional peace requires a foundation of mutual respect and trust between the two sides in the international arena. Our current diplomatic strategy stresses pragmatic and flexible approaches. Its objective is broader participation by Taiwan in the international community and a higher international profile, allowing our people greater interaction with those of other countries to the mutual benefit of Taiwan and the entire world. Thus, our administration is exerting every effort to secure Taiwan's participation in functional and professional international organizations to uphold the fundamental rights and assure the welfare of our people, in accord with the humanitarian and human rights spirit of "universal values."

The current mainstream of thought in global civil society prizes human security above and beyond traditional military security. As mankind faces one new security threat after another, threats to health security are the most immediate and obvious; yet, most require the assistance and cooperation of each country within a multilateral international mechanism to achieve solutions. Taiwan has long worked hard to boost the health of its citizens, and has actively taken part in international medical care cooperation initiatives. It has repeatedly committed large amounts of resources and manpower to improve medical care in poor areas of the world, and has taken substantive actions to care for people suffering from health security crises.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the most important platform for dealing with health security issues. Taiwan began applying for participation in the WHO back in 1997 out of concern for the health of its citizens and a heartfelt desire to contribute its share to international health collaboration. Due to various geopolitical global factors during that period, our applications proved unsuccessful, but Taiwan has never relinquished its ideal to take part in the collective world effort for health security. This year, our new administration has taken a pragmatic approach by applying to the World Health Assembly (WHA) for observer status. As the cross-strait situation continues to improve, we believe that resistance to Taiwan's participation in the WHA has greatly diminished, and that the wish of the Taiwan public to participate in this world body will be respected.
Taiwan's gaining WHA observer status this year represents a concrete result for our government's flexible diplomacy and symbolizes the positive development of cross-strait relations. Our expanded participation in this multilateral mechanism will help Taiwan share its health security experience and strengths with the world. Support of Taiwan's willingness to take part in the WHA demonstrates the value of universal applicability and global respect for fundamental human rights. WHA observer status will assure the Taiwan public access to global health security information and resources, and enhance Taiwan's ability to contribute substantively to the international community.