Allies supported Taiwan at WHA

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on May 26, 2006. It reports that several nations with no diplomatic relations with Taiwan recently argued in its favor at the 2006 World Health Assembly. These countries included Australia, Canada, the United States and Mongolia, which voiced support for Taiwan in a committee meeting, and Japan, which did so during a plenary meeting.

Year 2006 marked Taiwan's 10th unsuccessful attempt to gain access as an observer at the World Health Assembly. As a result of China's objections, the general committee of this highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization decided not to put the issue on the agenda. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government was disappointed that Taiwan was again excluded from the World Health Assembly. However, it would continue to fight on behalf of the nation.

In the 2006 World Health Assembly, 14 of Taiwan's diplomatic allies issued a joint proposal in support of Taiwan's participation in the international health organization. These countries were Belize, Gambia, Malawi, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, the Soloman Islands, Swaziland, and Tuvalu.

During the committee meeting, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu and Sao Tome and Principe spoke in favor of Taiwan. meanwhile, Belize, Gambia, Malawi and Palau argued on behalf of Taiwan against China, Cuba and Pakistan during various debates held in the general committee and plenary meetings.