Taiwan Excluded From World Health Assembly for 10th Consecutive Year

Taiwan has once again been excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA), marking the 10th consecutive year the island has been unable to participate due to pressure from China.

According to reports by Taipei Times, the 79th World Health Assembly is scheduled to take place in Geneva. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, said Taipei did not receive an invitation to attend the event and blamed China’s continued political pressure for the exclusion.

Taiwan has long argued that being barred from the World Health Organization (WHO) weakens global health cooperation. Taiwanese officials say the island has significant expertise in disease prevention and public health management that could contribute to international efforts.

Earlier this year, the United States formally withdrew from the WHO under President Donald Trump. Despite the withdrawal, Washington has continued to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said Taiwan’s knowledge and resources could play an important role in addressing major global challenges.

Trump had previously criticized the WHO and accused its Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and operating under China’s influence. He also alleged corruption within the organization and argued that the United States contributed disproportionately more funding than other countries.

Meanwhile, the European Union has also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly.

A spokesperson for the European External Action Service said Taiwan should be allowed to participate in international activities whenever rules and frameworks permit.

According to the Taipei Times report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced that Beijing had refused to approve Taiwan’s participation in this year’s assembly under its “One China” policy.