The 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) will convene from May 27 to June 1, and the Vancouver Taiwanese Overseas Community Association has issued a joint statement calling on all sectors in Canada to support Taiwan’s comprehensive participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly (WHA).
On May 4, the Vancouver Taiwanese Overseas Community Association called on its board members, association members, and members of Taiwanese community organizations in the Greater Vancouver area to gather at the Yaletown Round House. The overseas Taiwanese assembled at the historical landmark of Pacific Railway Engine No. 374, which once led travelers into Vancouver, to declare their support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO and participation in the WHA.
That day, accompanied by co-chairs Zhang Jianli and Xie Mingzhu of the association, along with several directors and more than 50 Taiwanese residents in Vancouver, the group, led by Qiu Jianyi from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver and Huang Qingyu from the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, walked along the False Creek Seawall. They passed through Science World, the False Creek Community Center, and finally arrived at the famous tourist spot, Granville Island.
The route they followed is a popular leisure area for local Vancouver residents on holidays and a notable tourist destination. Given the sunny weather and activities like dragon boat races and markets that day, there was a large crowd of people, including many foreign visitors, attracting attention along the way.
During this event, the association not only held signs along the route urging support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO/WHA but also engaged in a flash mob street survey. After explaining the purpose and goals of their activities, many foreign friends spontaneously joined the street survey, chanting together, “Taiwan Can Help, Taiwan is Helping,” bringing a climax to the support campaign.
Taiwan’s epidemic prevention experience and advanced medical capabilities have made it a global model in pandemic control. The Taiwanese government’s continuous actions to demonstrate “Taiwan Can Help, Taiwan is Helping” have gained international recognition. Taiwan should not be excluded from WHO mechanisms for political reasons, and Taiwan remains committed to participating in international health cooperation.
US Secretary of State Blinken made a strong statement on May 1, demanding that the World Health Organization issue an invitation to Taiwan as an observer at the 77th WHA. Taiwan’s contributions to the WHO are undoubtedly worthy of an observer invitation.
We hereby urge:
1. The WHO should reject political pressures and adhere to a stance of professionalism and neutrality, dedicated to achieving the goal outlined in its charter of “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health,” without placing politics above the health and safety of the Taiwanese people.
2. The core principle of health and epidemic prevention without borders should not exclude Taiwan from international cooperation. Taiwan is at the forefront of global action against emerging viruses, with advanced and comprehensive medical and epidemic prevention systems that can make significant contributions. Viruses know no borders, epidemic prevention tolerates no loopholes, and politics should never override human life and safety.
The Vancouver Taiwanese Overseas Community Association has been dedicated to supporting Taiwan’s participation in the WHA and its comprehensive inclusion in the WHO. They call on the Canadian government to support Taiwan and urge various community organizations in the overseas Taiwanese community to unite and speak up for Taiwan.