[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4550-H4552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (S. 812) 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:

                                 S. 812

       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 virtual WHA in May 
     2020.
       (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''. The WHO did not invite Taiwan to 
     attend the WHA as an observer in 2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020.
       (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 $6,000,000,000 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. 
     In 2020, after successfully containing the spread of the 
     novel coronavirus within its borders while upholding 
     democratic principles, Taiwan generously donated millions of 
     pieces of personal protective equipment and COVID-19 tests to 
     countries in need. 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, 
     the Republic of El Salvador, the Solomon Islands, and the 
     Republic of Kiribati 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 the Act 
     entitled, ``To address the participation of Taiwan in the 
     World Health Organization'' (Public Law 108-235; 22 U.S.C. 
     290 note) 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 the Act 
     entitled, ``To address the participation of Taiwan in the 
     World Health Organization'' (Public Law 108-235; 22 U.S.C. 
     290 note) that is submitted after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act:

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Meuser) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on S. 812.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 812, a bill 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.
  S. 812 will help support Taiwan's effort to gain observer status at 
the World Health Assembly, the decisionmaking body of the World Health 
Organization.
  Since the end of 2019, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has 
reminded the global community of the importance of international 
cooperation and collaboration on global health.
  Taiwan has been a leader on global health. While the People's 
Republic of China was actively censoring public discussion of and 
silencing doctors about the effects and outbreak of the virus in China 
itself, Taiwan was saving lives globally with its early detection and 
dissemination of information about the virus.
  Despite its proximity to the original outbreak in China, Taiwan 
employed a strategy of social distancing, border controls, mask 
mandates, quarantine,

[[Page H4551]]

and contact tracing so that it succeeded in suppressing widespread 
transmission. Incredibly, with a population of 23.5 million, Taiwan 
experienced roughly 37,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and fewer than 900 
deaths. That is a tremendous feat compared to everybody else.
  Taiwan was not only able to use its knowledge to effectively respond 
to the COVID-19 pandemic within its own borders, but it shared its 
expertise and medical supplies when the world badly needed it most. 
Taiwan donated millions of masks and PPE to many countries around the 
world, including here in the United States.
  These actions symbolize Taiwan's leadership and contributions to 
global health security and demonstrate why it ought to be part of the 
global conversation on public health. Unfortunately, China has tried to 
limit and constrain Taiwan's meaningful participation in all 
international organizations, including pressuring the WHO to strip 
Taiwan of its observer status in the WHA in 2017. As the co-chair of 
the Taiwan Caucus, I can tell you that makes no sense.
  This bipartisan measure would support efforts that enable Taiwan to 
share its public health expertise and experience with the world at 
times when we need it badly.
  Led by Senator Menendez, this legislation has already passed the 
Senate. The House Foreign Affairs Committee was proud to pass out of 
committee a near-identical bipartisan measure led by Representative 
Young Kim of California.
  Passage of this bill today, ahead of the World Health Assembly 
meeting next month, would not only be timely; it would also demonstrate 
the strong bipartisan, bicameral commitment the U.S. Congress has to 
our democratic friend Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to adopt this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of S. 812, directing the Secretary of State to 
develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World 
Health Organization.
  This bill has passed the House in each of the last three Congresses, 
so I am glad the two Chambers have finally come together to send this 
bill to the President's desk before the World Health Assembly next 
month.
  I thank Representative Young Kim for introducing the House version of 
this bill early last year and former Representative Ted Yoho for his 
work on this issue in previous Congresses.
  Taiwan is a model contributor to global health, and Taiwan's 
exclusion from the WHO isn't just unfair; it is dangerous.
  The world is still paying the price of the Chinese Communist Party's 
coverup of the original COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Taiwan's exclusion 
from the World Health Organization made the situation even worse by 
depriving the world of Taiwan's early warning.
  Unfortunately, Xi Jinping and the CCP are continuing to jeopardize 
global health by marginalizing Taiwan. The CCP is hijacking the WHO to 
advance its own political agenda. Taiwan has been totally excluded from 
participating in the WHO's annual World Health Assembly since 2016.
  Despite the CCP's interference, Taiwan is a model democracy that 
makes the world a better place. The people of Taiwan deserve to 
participate in the World Health Organization, so I urge my colleagues 
to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Kim).
  Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Meuser 
for yielding, and I thank Representative Connolly, Chairman Meeks, and 
Ranking Member McCaul for their leadership on this very important 
issue.
  I rise in strong support of this bipartisan, bicameral effort to help 
restore Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Organization and 
World Health Assembly.
  I am proud to have introduced the House version of this bill, which 
has nearly 130 bipartisan cosponsors.
  Time and time again, Taiwan has proven to be a trusted ally of the 
United States and to be a world leader in global health security.

  From 2009 until 2017, Taiwan had observer status in the WHO and WHA, 
but it was revoked due to pressure from the Chinese Government. This 
bill would direct the Secretary of State to implement a strategy to 
restore Taiwan's observer status.
  I am hopeful that today we can send a united message to the people of 
Taiwan that we value their input and that giving them a seat at the 
table benefits all of us.
  Support for Taiwan is more important than ever. We all know today 
that as Russia invades Ukraine, China is eyeing Taiwan. A threat to 
freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere.
  That is why I urge my colleagues to support this effort and give the 
people of Taiwan a voice in vital information sharing in the World 
Health Organization and World Health Assembly.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to lead this effort and will continue to be 
an unwavering voice for global human rights and freedom.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, diseases and pandemics know no borders. 
Taiwan is a critical player in global health, and it is a global 
transportation hub. In blocking Taiwan from the WHO, the CCP is placing 
the world at risk to soothe their own insecurities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for 
the purpose of closing.
  Why is this bill important at this time, Mr. Speaker? It is important 
because an authoritarian, delusional autocrat in Moscow is wreaking 
havoc and inflicting death on the ground and from the skies on an 
innocent people seeking freedom in Ukraine.
  It is important that other autocrats and authoritarian regimes 
understand that they will pay a heavy price for such behavior, that we 
will not resolve disputes that way in the 21st century, and that the 
consequences will be severe.
  Isolating Taiwan is part of a policy to intimidate, threaten, and 
assault democracy on the island of Taiwan. We can't be a party to that.
  Taiwan has a voice. Taiwan has expertise. It can contribute in a 
pandemic, and it should not be silenced because of somebody's political 
agenda. That is what this bill is about. That is why this Congress 
should speak with one voice and support this important piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I support S. 812, which came to 
us from the Senate, and which calls for the Administration to develop a 
strategy for Taiwan to regain observer status at the World Health 
Organization.
  As we know, Taiwan stands as a beacon of democracy in Asia--and 
indeed, an example for much of the world--and offers a stark contrast 
to the totalitarian model of Xi Jinping across the Taiwan Strait in 
Mainland China.
  As a result, the People's Republic of China has doubled down on its 
longstanding efforts to delegitimize Taiwan and keep it from 
participating in international organizations.
  As we rediscovered in 2020, however, a deadly virus doesn't play 
politics, and crosses borders without regard to diplomatic niceties.
  To kowtow to Communist China and exclude Taiwan from having even an 
observer status at the World Health Organization is to play politics 
with global health.
  It is especially galling when one recalls that pernicious 
misrepresentations were made by the PRC to the World Health 
Organization at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the warnings 
sounded by Taiwan as to the true nature and origins of the pandemic 
were ignored by the WHO.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to note that I, along with my colleague from 
New Jersey, Jeff Van Drew, also introduced legislation last year, H.R. 
1775, to provide for a vehicle for victims of State misrepresentations 
to the World Health Organization to seek redress using US courts.
  I urge my colleagues to support S. 812, and for this Administration 
to devise and implement the strategy this timely legislation calls for 
to allow our democratic partner Taiwan to accede to the World Health 
Organization as an observer.

[[Page H4552]]

  

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 812, a 
bill to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain 
observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization (WHO), and 
for other purposes.
  This bill directs the Department of State to include additional 
information in its annual reports concerning Taiwan's participation at 
the WHO's World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer.
  The report shall describe changes and improvements to the State 
Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the WHA, 
following any meetings at which Taiwan did not participate under such 
status.
  The measure also directs the Secretary of State to establish a 
strategy for obtaining observer status at the WHA, the decision-making 
body of the WHO.
  Taiwan is excluded from most global organizations such as the WHO, 
the U.N. health agency, because of the objections of China, which 
considers the island one of its provinces and not a separate country.
  Taiwan cannot be excluded from the global health body because as we 
have seen, infectious viruses like the COVID-19 pandemic, have the 
ability to transcend all borders.
  Taiwan has contributed more than $6 billion in international medical 
and humanitarian aid efforts to over 80 countries since 1996 and 
donated millions of personal protective and testing equipment during 
the COVID-19 crises.
  After successfully suppressing the spread of COVID within its 
borders, Taiwan also generously donated millions of pieces of personal 
protective equipment and testing reagents to countries in need.
  Taiwan is an important partner to the United States, and we must 
assist their effort to participate at the W.H.O.
  Taiwan's absence from the World Health Assembly over the last several 
years may negatively impact us all, since public health is safeguarded 
when everyone is engaged.
  In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic it is now more important than 
ever for all nations to come together and share information regarding 
public health.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for S. 812 because the U.S. 
should support Taiwan's involvement with the international community on 
all matters regarding public health.
  These efforts will benefit global public health, and potentially save 
many lives.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, S. 812.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. FULCHER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________