Taiwan holds out hope of 11th-hour invitation to World Health Assembly with support of the West

Despite being widely praised for its handling of coronavirus, Taipei is yet to be invited to forum where pandemic will be the focus

Support from 50 countries, including the US and other G7 members, has reportedly prompted the WHO to soften its position on the island’s bid

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On Friday, the US reiterated its strong support for Taiwan to take part in the virtual World Health Assembly as an observer. Photo: AP Photo

Published: 8:00pm, 10 May 2021Updated: 11:15pm, 10 May 2021

Taiwan has not yet received a long sought-after invitation from the World Health Organization despite a growing international chorus calling for the self-ruled island to attend the World Health Assembly this month.

The island has received worldwide praise for its success in containing Covid-19 over the past year, but as the Monday night registration deadline loomed, there was no news from the WHO Secretariat about an invitation to join the event on May 24-June 1, Taiwanese officials said.

Taiwanese deputy foreign minister Tien Chung-kwang acknowledged on Monday that the island’s government was yet to receive the invitation, but said Taiwan would not give up.

“We will fight to the last minute,” he said. “Since the meeting begins on May 24, with great effort and the support of the world we may still – until the night of May 23 – be able to make it.”

Speaking about Taiwan’s confidence, Tien said: “When [the present situation is] compared with the past, the magnitude [of support] has grown stronger globally and when it accumulates to a certain level, the possibility [of taking part] will increase,” he said.