According to Taiwan News, the European Union and 26 countries have expressed their support for Taiwan's participation during the 77th Edition of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. This comes after China previously exerted pressure to prevent Taiwan from being invited to the conference in past years.

In previous years, China exerted pressure to prevent Taiwan from receiving invitations to the annual World Health Organization (WHO) conference in Switzerland.

However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing number of countries advocating that the group's "Health For All" slogan should also encompass Taiwan.

According to Taiwan News, during the event held from May 27 to June 1, EU Representative Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve stated that the WHO needed to promote international negotiation and cooperation, ensuring inclusivity for all regions and entities.

Germany’s federal health minister, Karl Lauterbach, expressed the opinion that the health organisation should streamline its bureaucracy and leverage Taiwan’s professional expertise.

Taiwan News, citing a report, reported that compared to the previous year, an additional five regions and countries have joined the chorus supporting Taiwan's participation. These newcomers include the EU, the Netherlands, Latvia, New Zealand, and Israel.

Various health ministers and government representatives from nations such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and Luxembourg also voiced their support for Taiwan's attendance.

Among the 26 countries and regions supporting Taiwan, 10 are diplomatic allies of Taiwan. Although Taipei has not received an official invitation, Health and Welfare Minister Chiu Tai-yuan visited Geneva for bilateral meetings with other delegations, alongside attending news conferences and exhibitions to advocate for Taiwan's inclusion.

According to Focus Taiwan, tensions between Taiwan and China have escalated in recent months. China conducted two-day-long military drills on May 23, surrounding Taiwan, which it labelled as "punishment" for what it deemed as "separatist acts."

Despite the rising tensions, Taiwan maintains its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity against potential threats. Utilising a combination of strategic foresight and robust defence capabilities, Taiwan remains steadfast in its stance against any perceived challenges to its security.

Image source: ANI