US Lawmakers Write To 60 Nations, Urging Support For Taiwan’s Inclusion In WHO Amid Fierce Chinese Opposition

The leaders of United States (US)'s congressional foreign affairs committees have written to over 60 nations on Friday (8 May) to garner their support towards the inclusion of Taiwan in the World Health Organisation (WHO), reports WION.

In their letter, US' lawmakers pressed, that it has never been more important to ensure all countries prioritise global health and safety over politics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter was sent to 'like-minded' countries, which are seen as allies of Taiwan. These include Germany, Thailand, Canada, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

The letter was signed by Representatives Eliot Engel, Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, and Michael McCaul, the panel's ranking Republican member, as well as Senators Jim Risch, the Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, and Bob Menendez, the panel's ranking Democratic member.

To this date, Taiwan is not a part of the WHO owing to objections from China which calls the nation a part of its own. However, that has not deterred Taiwan from seeking to join a ministerial meeting of WHO's decision-making body, the World Health Assembly (WHA). The meeting is set to be held in the coming days of this month.

Taiwan is trying to partake in the meeting with packing from the US and several of its allies.