[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 812 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 812
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain
observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized
agency of the United Nations, charged with coordinating health
efforts within the United Nations system. The World Health
Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of the WHO, which
convenes annually in May to set the policies and priorities of
the organization. Statehood is not a requirement for attendance
at the WHA, and numerous observers, including non-members and
non-governmental organizations, attended the most recent
virtual WHA in May 2020.
(2) Taiwan began seeking to participate in the WHO as an
observer in 1997. In 2009, with strong support from successive
United States Administrations, Congress, and like-minded WHO
Member States, and during a period of improved Cross-Strait
relations, Taiwan received an invitation to attend the WHA as
an observer under the name ``Chinese Taipei''. Taiwan received
the same invitation each year until 2016, when following the
election of President Tsai-Ing Wen of the Democratic
Progressive Party, Taiwan's engagement in the international
community began facing increased resistance from the People's
Republic of China (PRC). Taiwan's invitation to the 2016 WHA
was received late and included new language conditioning
Taiwan's participation on the PRC's ``one China principle''.
The WHO did not invite Taiwan to attend the WHA as an observer
in 2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020.
(3) Taiwan remains a model contributor to world health,
having provided financial and technical assistance to respond
to numerous global health challenges. Taiwan has invested over
$6,000,000,000 in international medical and humanitarian aid
efforts impacting over 80 countries since 1996. In 2014, Taiwan
responded to the Ebola crisis by donating $1,000,000 and
providing 100,000 sets of personal protective equipment.
Through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, the
United States and Taiwan have jointly conducted training
programs for experts to combat MERS, Dengue Fever, and Zika. In
2020, after successfully containing the spread of the novel
coronavirus within its borders while upholding democratic
principles, Taiwan generously donated millions of pieces of
personal protective equipment and COVID-19 tests to countries
in need. These diseases know no borders, and Taiwan's needless
exclusion from global health cooperation increases the dangers
presented by global pandemics.
(4) Taiwan's international engagement has faced increased
resistance from the PRC. Taiwan was not invited to the 2016
Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO), despite participating as a guest at the organization's
prior summit in 2013. Taiwan's requests to participate in the
General Assembly of the International Criminal Police
Organization (INTERPOL) have also been rejected. In May 2017,
PRC delegates disrupted a meeting of the Kimberley Process on
conflict diamonds held in Perth, Australia, until delegates
from Taiwan were asked to leave. Since 2016, the Democratic
Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, the Republic of Panama, the
Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, the Republic of El Salvador,
the Solomon Islands, and the Republic of Kiribati have
terminated longstanding diplomatic relationships with Taiwan
and granted diplomatic recognition to the PRC.
(5) Congress has established a policy of support for
Taiwan's participation in international bodies that address
shared transnational challenges, particularly in the WHO.
Congress passed H.R. 1794 in the 106th Congress, H.R. 428 in
the 107th Congress, and S. 2092 in the 108th Congress to direct
the Secretary of State to establish a strategy for, and to
report annually to Congress on, efforts to obtain observer
status for Taiwan at the WHA. Congress also passed H.R. 1151 in
the 113th Congress, directing the Secretary to report on a
strategy to gain observer status for Taiwan at the ICAO
Assembly, and H.R. 1853 in the 114th Congress, directing the
Secretary to report on a strategy to gain observer status for
Taiwan at the INTERPOL Assembly. However, since 2016, Taiwan
has not received an invitation to attend any of these events as
an observer.
(b) Augmentation of Report Concerning the Participation of Taiwan
in the World Health Organization.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 1 of the Act
entitled, ``To address the participation of Taiwan in the World
Health Organization'' (Public Law 108-235; 22 U.S.C. 290 note)
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) An account of the changes and improvements the
Secretary of State has made to the United States plan to
endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the World
Health Assembly, following any annual meetings of the World
Health Assembly at which Taiwan did not obtain observer
status.''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect and apply beginning with the first report
required under subsection (c) of section 1 of the Act entitled,
``To address the participation of Taiwan in the World Health
Organization'' (Public Law 108-235; 22 U.S.C. 290 note) that is
submitted after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Passed the Senate August 6 (legislative day, August 5),
2021.
Attest:
Secretary.
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 812
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain
observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for
other purposes.