For the eighth year in a row, the Taiwan region has been denied an invitation to the World Health Assembly (WHA) – the decision-making body of the World Health Organization. The move highlights ongoing tensions over cross-strait relations and global diplomacy. Let’s unpack the why behind the headlines.
The One-China Principle Takes Center Stage
Under the one-China principle, recognized by UN and WHA resolutions, the Chinese mainland is the sole legitimate representative of China. Taiwan’s participation in international organizations like the WHA must align with this framework. From 2009 to 2016, Taiwan attended as an observer thanks to the 1992 Consensus – a political agreement affirming the one-China principle. But since 2016, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have rejected this consensus, pushing policies labeled as 'Taiwan independence,' which Beijing says 'severely undermines' trust.
Health or Politics? The DPP’s Dilemma
The DPP claims Taiwan’s exclusion harms global health collaboration, but critics argue its focus is political. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taiwan region refused vaccines from the Chinese mainland, prioritizing ideology over public health, according to analysts. Meanwhile, Beijing has facilitated Taiwan’s involvement in WHO technical meetings, with 24 medical experts from Taiwan joining WHO activities in the past year alone.
Global Reactions & What’s Next
Most countries and international organizations back the one-China principle, leaving the Taiwan region with limited diplomatic support. With cross-strait ties at a low, experts say dialogue is key – but the DPP’s stance remains a roadblock. As the WHA wraps up, the message is clear: unity on health issues requires political alignment first.
