US Congressmen discuss Taiwan’s exclusion from WHO at hearing

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 28 February, 2020
By: Shirley Lin

US congressmen discussed Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO) during

a congressional hearing on Thursday. The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held the hearing to assess international and domestic COVID-19 prevention efforts.

US congressman and head of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Steve Chabot said banning Taiwan from attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer creates a gap in the global health system. Chabot said Taiwan has excellent medical personnel and hospitals, and that its close proximity to China can be a great deal of assistance to the Chinese government.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jonathan Fritz was also present at the hearing. He said that Taiwan is a reliable partner to the US in public health and other areas. Fritz said the outbreak shows that Beijing’s efforts to prevent Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO and WHA are unacceptable.    [FULL  STORY]