G7 Communique Supports Taiwan’s Participation in WHO/WHA and Calls for Peaceful Resolution to Cross-Taiwan Strait Issue
On May 5, foreign ministers from the G7 group of leading industrial countries issued a communique expressing support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly (WHA) and calling for a peaceful resolution to the cross-Taiwan Strait issue. This is the first time a G7 communique has mentioned and supported Taiwan.
In a joint communique released at the end of their three-day meeting in London, foreign ministers from the U.K., U.S., Canada, Japan, France, Germany, and Italy said they support “Taiwan’s meaningful participation” in WHO forums and the WHA. “The international community should be able to benefit from the experience of all partners, including Taiwan’s successful contribution to the tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the communique said.
The communique also expressed concerns over the tensions in and around the East and South China Seas, and called for a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan-China dispute. “We underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order, and express serious concerns about reports of militarization, coercion and intimidation in the region,” it said.
In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed gratitude toward the G7 support for Taiwan. “This marks the first time G7 foreign ministers have specifically mentioned Taiwan in its communiques — concerning Taiwan’s success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic — and have supported Taiwan’s participation in international organizations,” MOFA said. The communique, which expresses concern over China’s coercion toward Taiwan, also shows that the international community is paying close attention to such military intimidation, the ministry added.
It was also the second time in the past few months that G7 members have referred to the “importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” following a similar U.S.-Japan joint statement issued on April 16, MOFA said.
References:
[1] G7 Communique: https://www.g7uk.org/g7-foreign-and-development-ministers-meeting-may-2021-communique/
[2] Focus Taiwan: https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202105060004
[3] Taipei Times: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/05/07/2003756983
FAPA President: “Shocking to See That Many Chinese Top Leaders in International Organizations”
On May 4, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) released an updated report, entitled “PRC Representation in International Organizations.”
The report identifies Chinese nationals serving as the heads of key international organizations and in other top leadership positions in United Nations (UN) Principal Organs, UN Funds and Programs, UN Specialized Agencies, other UN Entities and Bodies, International Trade and Financial Institutions, and other international organizations. The USCC adds: “Top leadership positions are broadly defined as positions at the board of directors and senior management team level.”
FAPA President Minze Chien comments: “It is shocking to see that many top-level positions in international organizations occupied by PRC Chinese nationals. No wonder that Taiwan can’t get a foot in the door of international organizations where Taiwan’s membership is a must. Taiwan’s full participation in the international community is not just in the interest of the 23 million people of Taiwan, but is critically important for the rest of the world as well.”
Minze Chien adds: “Taiwan has so much knowledge and expertise to contribute to the World Health Organization for instance. Taiwan not being a member of the ICAO leaves a huge vacuum in international air safety. The time for the international community to jointly stand up against China’s bullying, telling them that ‘Enough Is Enough!’ is NOW!”