World Medical Association Votes to Back Taiwan in WHO Indefinitely

At the 60th World Medical Assembly of the World Medical Association (WMA) held in the Netherlands, medical professionals in attendance voted to pass a significant resolution explicitly supporting Taiwan’s participation in all World Health Organization (WHO) programs and its inclusion in the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework. The resolution was adopted by the plenary session without any objections and stipulates that the matter cannot be re-proposed for review for the next five years, demonstrating the international medical community’s firm support for Taiwan’s participation in global health affairs.

Since being denied entry into the WHO by mainland China in 1995, Taiwan has long been excluded from global health governance. Although its designation was changed from “Taiwan” to “Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu” in 2009, this move did not alter its actual status of exclusion. In recent years, Taiwan has played a key role in global epidemic prevention, vaccine development, and the sharing of public health information. In particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan’s epidemic control experience was studied by numerous countries. The WMA resolution is not only a statement from the medical profession but also a formal affirmation of Taiwan’s legitimate right to participate in international health matters.

The resolution explicitly states that Taiwan should enjoy equal participation rights with other member states and be able to voice its opinions at WHO conferences, working groups, and professional committees. The WMA’s membership encompasses approximately four million physicians worldwide, and the vote to pass the resolution indicated that more than half of the physicians supported Taiwan’s participation. The clause prohibiting a re-review for five years is designed to prevent mainland China from using political means in the future to challenge Taiwan’s international status, thereby ensuring the stability and continuity of the resolution.

This development is of great significance for Taiwan. First, it provides Taiwan with a more formal platform for participation in global public health governance, allowing it to directly engage in vaccine development, disease surveillance, and the formulation of transnational health policies. Second, Taiwan can demonstrate its capabilities in medical technology and public health management to the international community through concrete actions, thereby enhancing its international image. For mainland China, this represents a political challenge in the international medical field and may prompt responsive actions in other international organizations.

Responses from various parties have been diverse. Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that it will continue to actively promote international participation and called on countries to respect Taiwan’s contributions to public health. International medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the Royal College of Physicians in the UK, have also issued statements supporting Taiwan’s participation in global health governance. In contrast, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its position that “Taiwan is part of China” and stated that it will continue to express its concerns at various international conferences. The international community’s reaction indicates that Taiwan’s role in global health issues is gradually being recognized, and it may play a more important role in future international agreements and cooperation.

In summary, this WMA resolution is not only support from the medical community for Taiwan’s participation in international health affairs but also a formal confirmation of Taiwan’s legitimate status in global public health governance. It provides Taiwan with a stable participation mechanism for the next five years and creates greater space for Taiwan’s voice in the international medical and health sectors. As global health issues become increasingly complex, Taiwan’s ability to effectively leverage this opportunity will directly impact its influence and cooperation opportunities in the international community. (Source: Central News Agency)