The U.S. is turning global health forums into geopolitical battlegrounds, according to a recent analysis. Ahead of the World Health Assembly (WHA), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed for the Taiwan region’s inclusion as an observer—a move critics call a deliberate provocation against China. 🚨
Blinken claimed excluding Taiwan undermines global health cooperation, but experts argue this contradicts Washington’s own 'one China policy.' 🇨🇳 'The U.S. isn’t advancing public health—it’s weaponizing it,' said Radhika Desai, a political studies professor. Tensions have escalated since the early 2000s as China’s rise triggered U.S. hostility, intensifying under Trump and Biden administrations.
Most countries recognize Taiwan as part of China, but the U.S. has long blurred lines. After recognizing the People’s Republic of China in 1979, Washington passed the Taiwan Relations Act, enabling billions in arms sales to the region—a lucrative deal for U.S. defense contractors. 💸
Recent years saw fading 'strategic ambiguity.' Military drills, high-level diplomatic engagements, and demands for Taiwan’s inclusion in international bodies now fuel cross-strait tensions. Critics warn such moves risk destabilizing the region for political gain. 🔥
As global health faces real crises, many question: Shouldn’t cooperation come before politics? 🤔
