Coronavirus: US ‘supports Taiwan joining WHO events’ in ministerial phone call

Rare discussion between ministers highlights cooperation on the pandemic, in contrast to US-China tensions on the subject

Taiwan health minister says US backs the island, not a WHO member, taking part in global events to share its expertise after curbing the outbreak

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Taiwan’s health minister Chen Shih-chung has called for the self-governing island to be allowed back to the World Health Organisation’s annual summit. Photo: CNA

Published: 2:30pm, 28 Apr 2020Updated: 11:42pm, 28 Apr 2020

The United States has pledged its full support for Taiwan’s participation in World Health Organisation events during a rare telephone call between the two sides’ health ministers – a move observers said was certain to spark a protest from Beijing and further strain cross-strait and US-China relations.

In a 30-minute discussion on Monday, Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung and US counterpart Alex Azar exchanged views on coronavirus strategies and global health issues, according to the island’s health ministry.

Azar thanked Taiwan for donating masks to the US and praised the self-ruled island’s achievements in containing Covid-19 – the disease caused by the coronavirus – while Chen expressed his appreciation of American collaboration with Taiwan on the outbreak and the US’ support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and other WHO events, the ministry said.

“Secretary Azar reiterated the US pledge of full support for Taiwan to take part in WHO and other global health events, so that Taiwan could share its expertise with the world,” the ministry said.

The teleconference was the first between ministerial officials from the US and Taiwan since the coronavirus outbreak was first reported in mainland China in late December.