[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 30, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 30, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Taiwan's true, 
meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO).
  It is unfortunate that, almost 13 years after Congress made it an 
annual requirement to have an unclassified report from the Secretary of 
State on the U.S. plan for Taiwan to gain observer status at the WHO, 
and eight years since Taiwan was first invited to the World Health 
Assembly (WHA)--the governing forum of the WHO--as an observer, it 
remains necessary for Members to again raise their voices on this 
issue.
  Since 2009, Taiwan has been allowed to attend the annual meeting of 
the WHA as an observer, but last year, its invitation was held up due 
to pressure the People's Republic of China wished to place upon the 
incoming administration of Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen. The 
current WHO Director-General has shown hostility to Taipei before. When 
last year's invitation arrived, it contained insulting, unnecessary 
language referring to the October 1971 UN General Assembly resolution 
replacing the United Nations delegation from Taipei with the delegation 
from Beijing, as the basis for Taiwan's attendance. Additionally, the 
invitation stated that Taiwan's participation should be conditioned on 
the ``one-China'' principle. This, too, was unnecessary, as President 
Tsai has stated Taiwan's commitment to the status quo across the Taiwan 
Strait.
  This year's WHA is currently taking place in Geneva. It began on May 
22 and will conclude May 31. As of yet, no invitation has been issued 
to Taiwan.
  As my colleagues are aware, it is the stated policy of the United 
States, over successive administrations, that Taiwan should be allowed 
meaningful participation in international organizations where it cannot 
become a full member. I submit that Taiwan's current level of 
participation is neither satisfactory, nor meaningful.
  Mr. Speaker, this situation is unacceptable. As an advanced 
democracy, economy, and society, with one of the most-developed health 
care systems in the world, a proven track record controlling infectious 
diseases, and a history of providing humanitarian relief, Taiwan has 
much to offer. Neither Taiwan, nor the international community, is 
served by restricting Taiwan's access to timely information and 
important resources.
  The situation necessitates that we reiterate our full support for 
Taiwan's inclusion at the WHA and in the other work of the WHO. The WHO 
Secretariat should continue to uphold its independence and 
impartiality, and should not be at the service of any particular member 
state. I ask my colleagues to join me in encouraging the administration 
to work with Taiwan and our member friends at the WHO to secure 
Taiwan's invitation and meaningful participation at the WHA now and in 
the future.

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