[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TAIWAN'S INVITATION TO THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, at the end of last month, 
Taiwan received an invitation from the World Health Organization (WHO) 
to attend this year's World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting as an 
observer under the name ``Chinese Taipei.'' The WHA weeklong meeting 
started a few days ago on Monday, May 18, 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland.
  This week marks the first time Taiwan has been allowed to participate 
in a meeting or activity of a specialized United Nations agency since 
losing its UN membership to China in 1971. I have seen some label 
Taiwan's participation a ``breakthrough'' and I have heard the 
``goodwill of the mainland authorities'' praised.
  Yes, we should celebrate the announcement that Taiwan will finally be 
permitted to participate in the WHO. But we also need to remind 
ourselves that participation as an ``observer'' does not give Taiwan 
the right to vote. In addition, Taiwan's participation is not 
permanent; it comes only under Beijing's sponsorship on a one-year-at-
a-time basis. While we are grateful that Taiwan has been given the 
chance to attend the WHA meeting, I hope that Taiwan's 23 million 
people will one day be represented at the WHO as a full fledged 
participant.
  We all remember that in 2003 Taiwan was struck by an outbreak of 
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. By the end of May 2003, 483 
probable cases had been reported. A total of 60 people died. Worries 
over SARS subsequently hampered international travel and commerce, 
dealing a serious blow to Taiwan's economy. This morning, Taiwan 
reported its second case of H1N1 flu.
  Despite these outbreaks, China continues to block Taiwan's full and 
equal membership in the WHO. Disease knows no borders and I believe the 
current threat of a worldwide epidemic demonstrates Taiwan's need for 
the highest level of access to the WHO as possible.
  In addition, I would prefer to see Taiwan join the WHO under the name 
``Taiwan,'' which, after all, is the name of the country. Taipei is 
merely Taiwan's capital.
  When I was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, some 
of my colleagues had already been campaigning for Taiwan's inclusion in 
the WHO for more than five years, ever since Taiwan launched its 
campaign to participate in the WHO in 1997.
  I am concerned that that Chinese approval is becoming a prerequisite 
for Taiwan's participation in any international organization, and that 
countries will begin to view China as Taiwan's suzerain. If this view 
becomes the accepted international norm, Taiwan's current status as an 
independent, sovereign state would be undermined.
  It is an outrage that China has essentially blocked Taiwan from 
participating in the WHO for so long. I firmly believe that the health 
of Taiwan's 23 million citizens should not be used as a political 
weapon. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in continuing to 
support Taiwan's full and equal membership in the World Health 
Organization.

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