– Support Taiwan’s full inclusion in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities.
By Amino Chin Yao Chi
The term “COVID-19” has utterly changed the world history as it ravaged the world, exacting a heavy and extensive toll on the health and lives of humankind.
More than 100 million confirmed cases have been recorded and nearly three million precious lives have been lost. Calls have continued to come loud and clear from all parts of the world stressing the importance of a united fight against the virus.
The Taiwan Model, based on our democratic experience of the COVID-19 containment, has come to set an excellent example for the rest of the world. The government of Taiwan has earned global recognition and acclaim for the series of actions it has taken to show that “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.”
The pandemic has further strengthened international affirmation of the importance and imperative need for Taiwan to participate in global cooperation mechanisms for disease prevention, leading to unprecedented support for its participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). During the two World Health Assembly (WHA) sessions held in May and November 2020, exhortations for the WHO to welcome Taiwan into its fold came from leaders and high-level government officials of numerous countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as more than 1,700 parliamentarians of more than 80 countries.
International media also published more than 3,500 reports and articles backing Taiwan. These developments reflect a significant increase in Taiwan’s international visibility and the growing support it has received.
No country can fight an epidemic alone. International cooperation is the only path to epidemic prevention and control. Taiwan is willing and able to serve as an indispensable partner in the international community’s recovery efforts. If Taiwan succeeds, the WHO and the international community will be more effective in their collaborative efforts to contain COVID-19.
We sincerely urge WHO to uphold the principles of professionalism and neutrality and include Taiwan in related WHO meetings, activities, and mechanisms.
This year, let Taiwan help, and let the world be better off!
