US State Department reveals talks aimed at Taipei presence for World Health Assembly meeting
- Monday’s meeting in Washington discussed a strategy to expand the island’s participation in international forums
- Taiwanese and US officials were gathered by de facto embassies in Taipei and Washington, it was announced after the talks
The State Department announced on Tuesday that the talks had taken place, without identifying the participating officials. They included representatives from the State Department and the Taiwanese foreign ministry.
The meeting was organised by the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy on the self-ruled island, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, the announcement said.
The effort was aimed at “expanding Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and in other international forums”, it said.
“Discussions focused on near-term opportunities to support Taiwan’s expanded participation in the coming World Health Assembly (WHA) in May and at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as well as supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in non-UN international, regional and multilateral organisations.”
The talks follow last year’s passage of legislation signed into law by US President Joe Biden, which directs “the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization (WHO), and for other purposes”.
Taiwan’s efforts to join WHO assembly fail
The 76th WHA, the decision-making body of the WHO, is expected to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for 10 days starting on May 21.
Taiwan’s bid to take part in last year’s WHA was rejected by the assembly despite a campaign of diplomatic pressure by the US, Britain and most members of the European Union to include representatives from the island.
China began blocking Taiwan’s WHA participation in 2017, marking the end of a period of better cross-strait relations that prevailed before Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen came to power. Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party has a frostier relationship with Beijing compared with the opposition Kuomintang Party.
Taiwan had observer status at the WHA from 2009-2016, when relations were warmer, and has been seeking a return to that role since. Those efforts have been stymied by Beijing under the one-China policy that sees Taiwan as breakaway territory with no right to join international bodies.
Like many countries, the US does not recognise the island as an independent state. But Washington is committed by law to support Taiwan’s military defence capability – a stance Beijing strongly opposes.
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The State Department also said on Tuesday that the talks with Taiwan went beyond the island’s participation in the WHA and ICAO, with references to issues such as “political empowerment”, an apparent swipe at Beijing.
“US participants highlighted the world-class expertise Taiwan brings in many areas of global concern, including health, food security, aviation green fuels and bolstering women’s economic and political empowerment,” it said.
“All participants recognised the importance of working closely with like-minded partners who share our concerns regarding attempts to exclude Taiwan from the international community.”
