[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO REGAIN 
      OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2018

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3320, 
a bill that directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to 
obtain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization 
(WHO). This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress 
the observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health 
Assembly (WHA) held by the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland. If Taiwan fails 
to obtain observer status for a particular year, this bill requires the 
Secretary to include an account of the changes and strategic 
improvements that the State Department has made to help Taiwan regain 
observer status in the WHO.
  Taiwan first sought to participate in the WHO as an observer in 1997. 
In 2009, with strong support from successive United States 
Administrations and Congress, 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, following the 
election of President Tsai-Ing Wen of the Democratic Progressive Party. 
President Tsai-Ing Wen's administration has threatened Taiwan's 
engagement in the international community and Taiwan has faced 
increased resistance from the People's Republic of China (PRC) when 
seeking inclusion in numerous organizations. 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''. In 2017, 
Taiwan did not receive an invitation to the WHA.
  Taiwan remains a model contributor to world health efforts, providing 
financial and technical assistance in response to numerous global 
health challenges. Taiwan has invested over $6 billion 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. These diseases know no borders, 
and Taiwan's needless exclusion from global health cooperation 
increases the dangers presented by global pandemics.
  H.R. 3320 expands the report the Department of State is required to 
produce discussing Taiwan's status at the WHO and encourages Taiwan's 
inclusion in this international organization. I support this 
legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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