[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 22, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H974-H976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DIRECTING SECRETARY OF STATE TO DEVELOP STRATEGY TO REGAIN OBSERVER
STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 353) 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 353
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 WHA in May 2018.
(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''. In 2017 and 2018, Taiwan did not
receive an invitation to the WHA.
(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 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 million
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.
(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,
and the Republic of El Salvador 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 Public Law
108-235 (118 Stat. 656) 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 Public Law 108-
235 that is submitted after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
[[Page H975]]
New York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H.R. 353, a bill to regain observer status for
Taiwan in the World Health Organization, currently under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I will start by thanking Mr. Yoho for his work on this
bill. It passed the House last Congress with broad bipartisan support,
and I look forward to seeing that happen again today.
Mr. Speaker, we all know too well that disease knows no borders, so
it is in the interest of the United States to address global health
challenges. Without the ability to consistently monitor threats and
rapidly coordinate responses globally, health and lives will be at
risk, including those of Americans.
A critical organization in this global public health effort is the
World Health Organization's World Health Assembly. This is a summit
meeting of countries coming together to address global health
challenges.
China is actively lobbying against Taiwan's inclusion in these summit
meetings, part of its larger effort to squeeze Taiwan out of the
international community. Beijing may believe this serves its own narrow
interests in asserting control over Taiwan, but it is to the detriment
of the effort to fight disease wherever it strikes.
This bill before us today is a step to rectify this situation. H.R.
353 enhances reporting requirements, which will provide Congress better
insight into our administration's efforts to obtain Taiwan's observer
status in the annual World Health Assembly meetings.
We need to make every effort to ensure that China does not strong-arm
and manipulate these international meetings, which are important
opportunities to make significant progress on health issues facing the
global community. This progress should not be jeopardized by Beijing's
political agenda.
I support this measure. We should continue to stand with our partners
in Taiwan, and this resolution does just that. I urge my colleagues to
do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill to help Taiwan regain
observer status in the World Health Organization, introduced by my good
friend from Florida (Mr. Yoho).
The House passed this bill unanimously last Congress. Because Taiwan
has an especially distinguished record of international contributions
to global health, Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO is not just unfair,
it is also dangerous.
The world is more and more interconnected, and pandemics are a
constantly growing threat that can cross borders at the speed of a
jetliner. Unfortunately, President Xi and the Communist Party of China
continue to jeopardize global health in their campaign to marginalize
Taiwan.
Taiwan has been totally excluded from participating at the WHO's
World Health Assembly for 2 years running. Ultimately, Taiwan's
expulsion from the WHO illustrates a broader trend. Taiwan is a model
democracy that makes the world better, while China is a revisionist
authoritarian power that places the world at risk.
This year will be significant for U.S.-Taiwan relations as we look
forward to the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Xi Jinping just delivered a speech, where he reiterated a willingness
to use force against Taiwan, and said: ``The Taiwan issue will
disappear with the rejuvenation of the nation.''
I urge my colleagues to start this year on the right foot by
supporting Taiwan's WHO participation and telling President Xi that
Taiwan will never disappear under our watch.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Chabot), a cosponsor of this bill.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for
yielding, and I rise in support of H.R. 353, which would direct the
Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for
Taiwan in the World Health Organization.
I thank Mr. Yoho for his leadership on this important issue, and I
thank Mr. Engel as well as my colleague from Texas (Mr. McCaul) for
this as well. They have both been leaders on this for a long time.
As a long-time friend of Taiwan and strong supporter of our bilateral
relationship, I believe it is essential that they be allowed to
participate in the World Health Organization.
Taiwan has been routinely marginalized and barred from participation
in multilateral organizations, despite being a model participant in the
global community and routinely contributing to global health
advancement.
Between 2008 and 2015, Taiwan was invited to participate as an
observer at the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the
governing body of WHO. Unfortunately, in its efforts to isolate
President Tsai, China has effectively blocked Taipei from receiving an
invitation for the past 3 years by erroneously tying Taiwan's
participation to the so-called One China policy.
Beijing is playing politics with not only the health of Taiwan's
people, but with the health of the entire international community
because, as Mr. McCaul mentioned, the health of the world is linked,
and so the PRC is essentially putting all our health at risk by being
belligerent in this particular area.
This is particularly ridiculous because being an observer of WHA is
not limited to countries, and so participation does not imply Taiwanese
independence.
Furthermore, Taiwan should be allowed to participate on its own
merits. It is a de facto country and should be treated as such, and it
would be if it weren't for China's bullying. The sooner the world stops
participating in Beijing's fiction that Taiwan is part of China, the
better.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 353.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself
such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, diseases and pandemics know no borders. Taiwan is a
critical player in the global health and the internationally connected
transportation hub. By excluding Taiwan from participation in the WHO,
the Communist Party of China is placing the world at risk because of
their own insecurities.
I again thank Mr. Yoho and Chairman Engel for this bill which
deserves our unanimous support.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1700
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
We have supported a strong U.S.-Taiwan relationship since we passed
the Taiwan Relations Act back in 1979. It is critical that we continue
to support our close friend and partner, Taiwan, on the world stage and
ensure they maintain a seat at the table when discussing global health
challenges.
But China sees it differently, in pursuit of its own narrow political
agenda. Beijing is jeopardizing international efforts to improve global
health and fight transnational disease outbreaks by redoubling efforts
to prevent Taiwan from participating in organizations like the World
Health Assembly.
Our response to global health challenges and crises is stronger when
more countries are involved in the discussion and prevention. After
all, diseases go from border to border and across borders. It is
ridiculous to try to keep Taiwan out.
Our response to global health challenges is stronger, again, when
more countries are involved in prevention.
[[Page H976]]
There is no reason that the international community should accept a
scenario where we allow Beijing to compromise global health as they
play the bully with respect to their neighbor. That is another reason
why Kosovo should be admitted as well.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, many of the members who serve in
this chamber, myself included, value the important relationship the
United States shares with Taiwan. To this end, The House of
Representatives unanimously passed legislation in the 115th Congress
similar to the bill that is being debated today. Both bills direct the
Secretary of State to develop a strategy to assist Taiwan in regaining
observer status at the World Health Organization.
As a cosponsor of H.R. 3320 in the 115th Congress, I commend the
gentleman from the great state of Florida for bringing this bill to the
floor early in this Congress. Taiwan has been a model member of the
global health community, having served as an observer in the World
Health Assembly from 2009 until 2016. Taiwan has also contributed in
enhancing regional and global disease prevention networks, along with
working with other countries to ensure the World Health Organization's
vision of health being a fundamental human right is successfully met.
While some outside actors try to prevent Taiwan from contributing to
the global health community as an observer at the World Health
Organization, it is important for all of us to realize that the best
way to address the challenges of today and tomorrow with regards to
global health is to work together, rather than exclude parties due to
geopolitics. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R.
353.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 353.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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