On a bustling day in late May, Taiwan’s diplomatic endeavors took a significant step forward in Brussels, as Ambassador Remus Li-Kuo Chen, alongside staff from Taiwan’s Representative Office and their families, gathered at the Place du Luxembourg. This assembly, orchestrated to bolster Taiwan’s bid for inclusion in the World Health Assembly (WHA), drew support from across Europe, marking a pivotal moment in Taiwan’s international participation efforts.
Unified for Health: The Event That Brought Europe Together
The ‘Health for All, Taiwan Can Help’ event, masterminded by Shan-Lin Lai and the Taiwanese community in Belgium, served as a platform for advocacy and solidarity. With the European Parliament’s edifice as its backdrop, the gathering attracted over 100 individuals, including European politicians, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), and representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Figures such as Federico Bartolozzi and Georges Dallemagne echoed the sentiment of support for Taiwan’s role in global health initiatives. Ambassador Chen’s poignant address highlighted the critical gaps in international public health coverage, underscoring the necessity of Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA. He passionately argued that Taiwanese rights should remain unaffected by external political pressures, emphasizing Taiwan’s contributions to global health and its potential to aid further.
Europe’s Resolute Support for Taiwan
The event did more than just symbolize solidarity; it underscored the European Parliament’s firm stance on Taiwan’s international participation. Recent resolutions passed by the parliament condemned China’s efforts to exclude Taiwan from multilateral organizations and advocated for closer cooperation with Taiwan. These resolutions recognized Taiwan’s indispensable role in global supply chains and stressed the importance of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations like the WHO. Moreover, they highlighted Taiwan as a crucial partner for the European Union in the Indo-Pacific region, suggesting a broader geopolitical significance beyond health.
A Call for Inclusion and Cooperation
Ambassador Chen’s call for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA is not just about rectifying an oversight in global health governance; it’s a call for recognizing the interconnectedness of our world. Taiwan’s proven track record in managing health crises, its advancements in medical technology, and its willingness to share knowledge and resources make it an invaluable ally in the global fight against pandemics. The event at Place du Luxembourg, therefore, was not merely a plea for inclusion; it was a demonstration of Taiwan’s readiness and capability to contribute to global health, challenging the international community to rise above political considerations for the greater good.
As the world grapples with unprecedented health challenges, the inclusion of Taiwan in the WHA could mark a significant step towards a more inclusive, cooperative, and effective global health system. The solidarity shown by European representatives and the broader international community at the event in Brussels highlights a growing consensus: in the pursuit of global health, politics should take a backseat to pragmatism and shared humanity. Taiwan’s ongoing campaign for WHA membership, supported by allies near and far, is a testament to the enduring belief in collective action and mutual support as cornerstones of global health and well-being.
