On May 18, 2026, the General Committee and the Plenary Session of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) respectively decided to reject the so-called proposal of “inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer” submitted by certain countries. This has been the 10th year in a row that the WHA has rejected the so-called proposal concerning Taiwan.
China’s decision not to approve the Taiwan region’s participation in this year’s WHA has wide support and understanding from the international community.
The overwhelming majority of countries in the international community have reaffirmed to the Chinese side that they uphold UNGA Resolution 2758, firmly support the one-China principle, and oppose Taiwan’s participation in the WHA.
They expressed their support for China’s position through various means, such as writing to the World Health Organization (WHO) director-general. It shows that commitment to the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends, and what the greater national interests entail.
The international community’s commitment to the one-China principle is not to be challenged or shaken.
Taiwan independence vs the one-China principle
Not long ago, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities once again acted against the prevailing trend. Relevant personnel published an article in Israeli media hyping up “Taiwan’s participation in the WHO,” while distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758.
Their manipulation of the WHA is not genuinely about advancing health cooperation, but rather about expanding so-called “international space” and promoting “Taiwan independence” separatist activities.
The international community has long seen clearly the true nature of the DPP authorities, and that separatist acts advocating “Taiwan independence” met with widespread public rejection and are doomed to fail.
China’s position on the Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations, including the WHO, is consistent and clear. That is, it must be handled in line with the one-China principle, which is also a fundamental principle as demonstrated by the UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1.
China’s Taiwan region, unless given approval by the central government, has no basis, reason, or right to participate in the WHA. Due to the DPP authorities’ persistent separatist stance, the political foundation for the Taiwan region to participate in the WHA no longer exists.
Taiwan’s participation in the WHA
The Chinese central government attaches great importance to the health and well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan. Under the prerequisite that the one-China principle is upheld, the Chinese central government has made proper arrangements for the Taiwan region’s participation in global health affairs, and the Taiwan region’s medical and health experts can participate in the WHO technical meetings.
Over the past year alone, the central government has approved the applications of 18 medical and health experts from the Taiwan region to participate in WHO technical activities, covering various topics including immunization strategy, vaccine development, mental health, and digital health.
Under the framework of the International Health Regulations, the Taiwan region has unimpeded and full-fledged information exchange mechanisms with the WHO and countries in the world, and it can promptly access and report to the WHO concerning information related to health emergencies.
The two sides across the Taiwan Strait also have an unimpeded information-sharing mechanism for infectious disease outbreaks and have held events such as the Hospital CEO Forum.
These efforts fully demonstrate the Chinese central government’s utmost sincerity to address the health issues that our compatriots in Taiwan care about, that the Taiwan region has sufficient and unimpeded channels to participate in the WHO’s communication and cooperation in the technical domain, and that the rights of the people in Taiwan regarding health are duly protected.
Compared with a handful of countries’ political manipulation that trumpets Taiwan’s participation in the WHA, the central government’s proper arrangement and concrete actions are truly conducive to the livelihood and well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan. The so-called “gap” in global anti-epidemic efforts is nothing but a politically driven lie.
The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, China’s core interests, and the national sentiments of 1.4 billion Chinese people. Any attempt to challenge the one-China principle or create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” will never succeed.
We hope Israeli friends will remain clear-eyed, not be misled or deceived by “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, resolutely oppose any form of “Taiwan independence,” and firmly support the Chinese government in realizing national reunification.
The writer is the Chinese ambassador to Israel.
