Editing World Health Organization (section)

====Membership and participation of the Republic of China====
{{Further|China and the United Nations}}
{{Seealso|Cross-Strait relations|Political status of Taiwan}}

The [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] (ROC), whose [[Government of the Republic of China|government]] controlled [[Mainland China]] from 1912 to 1949 and currently controls [[Taiwan]] since 1945 following World War II, was the founding member of WHO since its inception and had represented "China" in the organization. The adoption of the [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758]] in 1971, however, had the representation of "China" handed over to the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (PRC), and led to the expulsion of the Republic of China from WHO and other UN bodies. Since that time, per the [[One-China policy]], both the ROC and PRC [[Two Chinas|lay claims]] of sovereignty to each other's territory.<ref name="UN_ARES2758XXVI_page1">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-2758(XXVI) |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=26 |resolution_number=2758 |highlight=rect_485,223_914,684 |page=1 |access-date=7 October 2008|date=25 October 1971|title=Restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/10/18/2003574772|title=Ma accused of 'lying' about relations – Taipei Times|date=18 October 2013|website=www.taipeitimes.com|access-date=8 December 2022|archive-date=8 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208200106/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/10/18/2003574772|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2009, the [[Department of Health (Republic of China)|Department of Health of the Republic of China]] was invited by the WHO to attend the 62nd [[World Health Assembly]] as an observer under the name "[[Chinese Taipei]]". This was the ROC's first participation at WHO meetings since 1971, as a result of the improved [[cross-strait relations]] since [[Ma Ying-jeou]] became the [[president of the Republic of China]] a year before.<ref>
{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/18/Taiwan-attends-WHA-as-observer/UPI-68411242697115/| title=Taiwan attends WHA as observer| work=United Press International| date=18 May 2009| access-date=26 April 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426205540/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/18/Taiwan-attends-WHA-as-observer/UPI-68411242697115/| archive-date=26 April 2016| url-status=live}}
</ref> Its participation with WHO ended due to diplomatic pressure from the PRC following the [[2016 Taiwanese presidential election|election in 2016]] that brought the independence-minded [[Democratic Progressive Party]] back into power.<ref name="Kyodo News 2020">{{cite web |title=Japan PM Abe calls for Taiwan's participation in WHO as coronavirus spreads |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/01/cff2af87f289-abe-calls-for-taiwans-participation-in-who-as-coronavirus-spreads.html |website=english.kyodonews.net |agency=Kyodo News |access-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130134249/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/01/cff2af87f289-abe-calls-for-taiwans-participation-in-who-as-coronavirus-spreads.html |archive-date=30 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Political pressure from the PRC has led to the ROC being barred from membership of the WHO and other UN-affiliated organizations, and in 2017 to 2020 the WHO refused to allow Taiwanese delegates to attend the [[World Health Assembly|WHO annual assembly]].<ref>{{cite news|title=China warns Taiwan of continued lockout from WHO assembly|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/china-warns-taiwan-of-continued-lockout-from-who-assembly/2017/05/21/0a486d66-3e58-11e7-b29f-f40ffced2ddb_story.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=26 May 2017|date=21 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521203309/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/china-warns-taiwan-of-continued-lockout-from-who-assembly/2017/05/21/0a486d66-3e58-11e7-b29f-f40ffced2ddb_story.html|archive-date=21 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to Taiwanese publication [[The News Lens]], on multiple occasions Taiwanese journalists have been denied access to report on the assembly.<ref>{{cite web|title=WHO Bows to China Pressure, Contravenes Human Rights in Refusing Taiwan Media|url=https://international.thenewslens.com/article/95982|website=[[The News Lens]]|access-date=22 May 2018|date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524003552/https://international.thenewslens.com/article/95982|archive-date=24 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2018, the WHO denied access to its annual assembly by Taiwanese media, reportedly due to demands from the PRC.<ref>{{cite web |title=UN: World Health Organization Shuns Taiwan and Its Journalists |url=https://freedomhouse.org/article/un-world-health-organization-shuns-taiwan-and-its-journalists |website=freedomhouse.org |publisher=[[Freedom House]] |access-date=30 January 2020 |date=16 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130175024/https://freedomhouse.org/article/un-world-health-organization-shuns-taiwan-and-its-journalists |archive-date=30 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in May 172 members of the [[United States House of Representatives]] wrote to the director-general of the World Health Organization to argue for Taiwan's inclusion as an observer at the WHA.<ref>{{cite web|title=172 Members Push for Taiwan's Participation at World Health Assembly|url=https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press-release/172-members-push-for-taiwans-participation-at-world-health-assembly/|website=foreignaffairs.house.gov|access-date=22 May 2018|date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524005152/https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press-release/172-members-push-for-taiwans-participation-at-world-health-assembly/|archive-date=24 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The United States, Japan, Germany, and Australia all support Taiwan's inclusion in WHO.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aspinwall |first1=Nick |title=Taiwan Picks Up International Support After Being Barred from World Health Assembly |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/taiwan-picks-up-international-support-after-being-barred-from-world-health-assembly/ |publisher=The Diplomat |access-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130175019/https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/taiwan-picks-up-international-support-after-being-barred-from-world-health-assembly/ |archive-date=30 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Pressure to allow the ROC to participate in WHO increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with Taiwan's exclusion from emergency meetings concerning the outbreak bringing a rare united front from Taiwan's diverse political parties. Taiwan's main opposition party, the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT, Chinese Nationalist Party), expressed their anger at being excluded arguing that disease respects neither politics nor geography. China once again dismissed concerns over Taiwanese inclusion with the foreign minister claiming that no-one cares more about the health and wellbeing of the Taiwanese people than central government of the PRC.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blanchard |first1=Ben |title=Parties unite over Taiwan's exclusion from WHO anti-virus planning |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-taiwan/parties-unite-over-taiwans-exclusion-from-who-anti-virus-planning-idUSKBN1ZN0QG |work=Reuters |access-date=30 January 2020 |date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129133126/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-taiwan/parties-unite-over-taiwans-exclusion-from-who-anti-virus-planning-idUSKBN1ZN0QG |archive-date=29 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the outbreak Canadian Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=Canada's Trudeau supports Taiwan involvement in WHO |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3867144 |work=Taiwan News |date=30 January 2020 |access-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130134607/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3867144 |archive-date=30 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> voiced his support for Taiwan's participation in WHO, as did Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]].<ref name="Kyodo News 2020" /> In January 2020 the [[European Union]], a WHO observer, backed Taiwan's participation in WHO meetings related to the coronavirus pandemic as well as their general participation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=EU backs Taiwan's inclusion in WHO |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3867764 |work=Taiwan News |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131124019/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3867764 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a 2020 interview, Assistant Director-General [[Bruce Aylward]] appeared to dodge a question from [[RTHK]] reporter Yvonne Tong about Taiwan's response to the pandemic and inclusion in the WHO, blaming internet connection issues.<ref>{{cite web|last=Griffiths|first=James|title=Taiwan's coronavirus response is among the best globally|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/04/asia/taiwan-coronavirus-response-who-intl-hnk/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=5 April 2020|access-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405222935/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/04/asia/taiwan-coronavirus-response-who-intl-hnk/index.html|archive-date=5 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> When the video chat was restarted, he was asked another question about Taiwan. He responded by indicating that they had already discussed China and formally ended the interview.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2020/03/29/video-top-doctor-bruce-aylward-pretends-not-hear-journalists-taiwan-questions-ends-video-call/|title=Video: Top WHO doctor Bruce Aylward pretends not to hear journalist's Taiwan questions, ends video call|last1=Grundy|first1=Tom|website=www.hongkongfp.com|publisher=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200328170545/https://www.hongkongfp.com/2020/03/29/video-top-doctor-bruce-aylward-pretends-not-hear-journalists-taiwan-questions-ends-video-call/|archive-date=28 March 2020|access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref> This incident led to accusations about the PRC's political influence over the international organization.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 March 2020|author=Yvonne Tong|title=The Pulse: Coronavirus situations in New York city, London and Lombardy, Italy & interview with WHO Bruce Aylward|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLvg0KnTKhU?t=994| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328175232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=RLvg0KnTKhU&t=1193&app=desktop| archive-date=28 March 2020 | url-status=dead|access-date=29 March 2020|website=YouTube|publisher=[[RTHK]] VNEWS|at=16:35 to 20:59}} [[iarchive:thepulsecoronavirussituationsinnewyorkcitylondonandlombardyitalyinterviewwithwhob|Alt URL]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/who-china-taiwan-interview|title=WHO accused of 'carrying China's water' after official refuses to acknowledge Taiwan during bizarre interview|last=Wulfsohn|first=Joseph|date=28 March 2020|website=Fox News|others=[[Gordon G. Chang]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405065616/https://www.foxnews.com/media/who-china-taiwan-interview|archive-date=5 April 2020|quote=Aylward's behavior reminds us that either we remove #China's pernicious influence in multilateral institutions like the #WorldHealthOrganization or the world's free states defund them and start over.}}</ref>

Taiwan's effective response to the 2019–20 [[COVID-19 pandemic]] has bolstered its case for WHO membership. Taiwan's response to the outbreak has been praised by a number of experts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sui |first1=Cindy |title=Taiwan's coronavirus success bolsters case for joining WHO, experts say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-s-coronavirus-success-bolsters-case-joining-who-experts-say-n1179196 |website=[[NBC News]] |date=9 April 2020 |publisher=NBC |access-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414110837/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-s-coronavirus-success-bolsters-case-joining-who-experts-say-n1179196 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Natalie |title=Taiwan's WHO Ambitions Get Boost from Coronavirus Success |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_taiwans-who-ambitions-get-boost-coronavirus-success/6187480.html |website=Voice of America |date=13 April 2020 |publisher=VOA |access-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414203246/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/taiwans-who-ambitions-get-boost-coronavirus-success |archive-date=14 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early May 2020, [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|New Zealand Foreign Minister]] [[Winston Peters]] expressed support for the ROC's bid to rejoin the WHO during a media conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKay |first1=Ben |last2=Cooke |first2=Henry |title=Covid-19: Winston Peters 'personally' supports Taiwan rejoining WHO |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300005524/covid19-winston-peters-personally-supports-taiwan-rejoining-who |access-date=7 May 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=5 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505121807/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300005524/covid19-winston-peters-personally-supports-taiwan-rejoining-who |archive-date=5 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=NZ foreign minister backs Taiwan's entry into WHO, bucks Beijing's bullying |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3928999 |access-date=7 May 2020 |work=[[Taiwan News]] |date=5 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507012203/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3928999 |archive-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> The New Zealand Government subsequently supporting Taiwan's bid to join the WHO, putting NZ alongside Australia and the United States who have taken similar positions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sachdeva |first1=Sam |title=NZ formally backs WHO role for Taiwan |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/05/07/1161574/chinese-embassy-hits-backs-at-peters-over-taiwan-remarks |access-date=7 May 2020 |work=[[Newsroom (website)|Newsroom]] |date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507055347/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/05/07/1161574/chinese-embassy-hits-backs-at-peters-over-taiwan-remarks|archive-date=7 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Walls |first1=Jason |title=Foreign Minister Winston Peters tells China's NZ Ambassador to 'listen to your master' after criticism |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12330368 |access-date=7 May 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507060437/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12330368 |archive-date=7 May 2020}}</ref>

On 9 May, Congressmen [[Eliot Engel]], the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] chairman of the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs]], [[Michael McCaul]], the House Committee's ranking [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member, Senator [[Jim Risch]], the Republican chairman of the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]], and Senator [[Bob Menendez]], the Senate Committee's ranking Democratic member, submitted a joint letter to nearly 60 "like-minded" countries including Canada, Thailand, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, urging them to support ROC's participation in the World Health Organization.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zengerle |first1=Patricia |title=U.S. lawmakers urge support for Taiwan at WHO, as U.S. criticizes China |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-taiwan/us-lawmakers-urge-support-for-taiwan-at-who-as-us-criticizes-china-idUSKBN22L00T |access-date=9 May 2020 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=9 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509090143/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-taiwan/us-lawmakers-urge-support-for-taiwan-at-who-as-us-criticizes-china-idUSKBN22L00T |archive-date=9 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Regencia |first1=Ted |last2=Pietromarchi |first2=Virginia |last3=Mohamed |first3=Hamza |title=Number of global coronavirus cases passes 4 million: Live updates |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/japan-backs-coronavirus-drug-moscow-lockdown-live-updates-200508232257831.html |access-date=9 May 2020 |work=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |date=9 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510002859/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/japan-backs-coronavirus-drug-moscow-lockdown-live-updates-200508232257831.html|archive-date=10 May 2020}}</ref>

In November 2020, the word "Taiwan" was blocked in comments on a livestream on the WHO's [[Facebook]] page.<ref>{{Cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=12 November 2020|title='Taiwan' Blocked in WHO Facebook Video|url=https://international.thenewslens.com/article/143200|access-date=15 November 2020|website=The News Lens International Edition|language=en|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114051205/https://international.thenewslens.com/article/143200|url-status=live}}</ref>