Taiwan's attendance at the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting in Geneva May 17 marked a breakthrough in efforts to expand the nation's participation in international organizations, the Department of Health (DOH) reported at a Cabinet meeting today.
Premier Jiang Yi-huah said Taiwan participated more extensively this time than in previous years, demonstrating its determination to play a role in global health affairs. The premier thanked DOH Minister Chiu Wen-ta and other delegates for their hard work and acknowledged the contributions of legislators, health experts and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas offices.
The premier noted that this was the fifth time Taiwan had been invited to attend the WHA meeting. Led by Minister Chiu, the ROC delegation shared Taiwan's health care experiences with the international community and exchanged views on global health issues with World Health Organization member states. Altogether, Taiwan participated in 19 technical meetings and conducted bilateral negotiations with 22 countries—a deeper level of engagement than ever. High-ranking officials from Taiwan and mainland China also met for the first time after the two sides inked the Cross-Strait Agreement on Medical and Health Cooperation.
Since taking office, President Ma has been working to improve cross-strait relations and win international support through a pragmatic approach known as viable diplomacy, Jiang said. The ROC now attends the WHA meetings regularly and has just concluded another successful participation, with support from all Taiwanese people and political parties. The premier calls on every social sector to help promote the ROC's participation in international affairs in order to protect the health and well-being of Taiwan's citizens.
Chiu noted, however, that the delegates from the DOH this year could have benefited from more experience in international negotiations, to which the premier replied these important skills are in short supply not only at the DOH.
"ROC delegates have to be proficient in foreign languages, tactful in dealing with international situations and skilled in negotiations. Hence the government must provide deliberate, long-term training through the civil service system to increase their involvement and understanding of international affairs," Jiang added.
The premier further remarked that Taiwan is actively participating in international and regional organizations in many fields, including economics and trade, science and technology, culture and education, military and security affairs, medicine and health, and fishery and agriculture. With so many opportunities, every agency is in need of skillful international negotiators. Jiang asked all ministers to be more aggressive in recruiting and training such talent because they form the foundation for Taiwan to engage the world community.
Jiang said that mainland China, as in past years, attempted to lower Taiwan's status by pressuring the WHA host organization and host country to use a different name for Taiwan. Jiang asked all agencies to help defend Taiwan's sovereignty and dignity by immediately protesting any unacceptable wording at international functions. Delegates must continue to emphasize to other countries that Taiwan is the Republic of China.
"Although political realities force us to use the name 'Chinese Taipei' on certain occasions, we cannot accept 'Taiwan, China' or other references to Taiwan as a province of mainland China. We must be mindful of this when conducting cross-strait or international exchanges," Jiang said.