UK Government voices support for Taiwan’s bid during 2018 WHA
Share
On 22 May, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Rt Hon Mark Field MP stated “the British government will continue to support Taiwan’s participation in the WHA,” adding that the FCO had worked with likeminded partners to make several representations to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to facilitate Taiwan’s participation. The statement was in response to a question from the Chair of the British Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group Mr Nigel Evans MP regarding the FCO’s response to Taiwan’s non-invitation to the 2018 World Health Assembly (WHA), which took place from 20-26 May.
On 23 May, UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health and Primary Care Steve Brine MP stated that Britain supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations and believes Taiwan can “make a valuable contribution” to the WHO. He also said that his Department supported the FCO in lobbying the WHO to grant Taiwan observer status in the WHA. His remarks were in answer to a query regarding the Department of Health and Social Care’s action to support Taiwan’s WHA bid.