A group of Taiwanese expatriates in Northern California gathered in San Francisco on May 19th for a flash mob event to show their support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and the World Health Organization, urging the 200,000 Taiwanese residents in the Bay Area to get actively involved.
On that day, over ten Taiwanese expatriates from the Overseas Emergency Relief Association of San Jose in Northern California organized flash mob activities at the Welcome Center of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. They waved flags of the Republic of China and the United States, holding signs that read “Taiwan Go! Go! Go!”, “Taiwan is ready!”, and “Taiwan can help”, calling on passersby to support Taiwan’s membership in the WHA and WHO.
Li Pingping, the president of the Overseas Emergency Relief Association of San Jose in Northern California, mentioned that since 2016, Taiwan has been excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) under pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. She emphasized that Taiwan excels in medical equipment and technology globally, yet it is unfairly left out.
Li Pingping emphasized that health is a universal value, something that is also emphasized in the constitution of the WHO. She believes that Taiwan’s exclusion is highly unfair. Therefore, it is crucial to speak out for justice every year and let the world know that Taiwan should not be excluded from the WHO.
She also said that even though Taiwan may not be able to participate in the WHA, it still exists. She urged overseas Taiwanese to firmly support Taiwan’s accession to the WHA and WHO, demonstrating the spirit and determination of the Taiwanese people to overcome challenges.
Dong Qingfeng, head of the Education Division at the Taiwan Representative Office, stated that supporting Taiwan’s entry into the World Health Organization is a very meaningful activity. Xu Caifeng, deputy director of the Overseas Chinese Education Center, also participated in this flash mob event.