[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 IN SUPPORT OF TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support for Taiwan's 
participation in the World Health Organization (WHO).
  For nearly a decade, Taiwan has participated as an invited observer 
at the World Health Assembly, the annual forum for the WHO. This 
invitation arrived late last year, due to political opposition to 
democratically-elected President Tsai Ing-wen. This year, no invitation 
was sent at all. Public health should be a politics-free issue and the 
WHO, a leading actor in reacting to global health crises, should remain 
a neutral, independent body which does not only serve the interest of 
any specific country.
  As our world becomes increasingly connected and travel times to 
places around the globe are decreasing, communicable diseases have 
spread at an ever increasing pace. With its modem, world-class health 
system, Taiwan has been a leader in disease prevention, surveillance, 
quarantine, and treatment. It has been a key ally in the fights against 
many diseases, including SARS, avian flu, and Zika. Taiwan has shared 
its expertise and resources with people in South East Asia, and around 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, the World Health Assembly is an important event with 
worldwide attendance where global health policy is determined. Taiwan's 
medical expertise should be well represented. I encourage the 
administration to continue to help Taiwan's inclusion in the World 
Health Assembly and work together with their Taiwanese counterparts to 
strengthen the bilateral cooperation on health.

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