Premier Cho criticizes Taiwan’s exclusion from WHA

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) announced on Thursday (June 6) that Taiwan received backing from 11 allied nations to participate as an observer at this year's World Health Assembly (WHA). A total of 26 countries and the European Union spoke out in support, highlighting a growing international and public backing for Taiwan's involvement.

International Support Grows for Taiwan at WHA

During a report to the Executive Yuan on Thursday, titled "The 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) Action Team's Achievements and Future Outlook," spokesperson Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) relayed Premier Cho's directive. Cho emphasized that health is a fundamental human right and a universal value. He expressed strong regret and dissatisfaction over the exclusion of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from the WHA due to political interference or other factors.

Taiwan's Commitment to Global Health

Premier Cho thanked Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) and colleagues from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Overseas Community Affairs Council for their hard work in Geneva. The "WHA Action Team" held numerous important bilateral talks, discussed substantive cooperation matters, and hosted several professional forums to share Taiwan's medical achievements.

Cho highlighted Taiwan's high-quality medical and public health standards during the pandemic, its resilience in democratic epidemic prevention, and its assistance to allied countries, fostering a virtuous cycle of international cooperation. He urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare and related ministries to continue their efforts under President Lai Ching-te's "Healthy Taiwan" policy vision, aiming to deepen cooperation with other countries and garner more support for Taiwan's return to the WHA.