East Asia Forum
Date: 30 May 2020
By: Robert Joseph Medillo, Manila
Will Taiwan’s COVID-19 response bolster its international recognition?
30 May 2020
Author: Robert Joseph Medillo, Manila
Taiwan’s global efforts in the wake of COVID-19 have the potential to undermine China’s assertive ‘One China policy’ and realise a greater international acceptance of Taiwan’s de facto independence. Drawing from its COVID-19 experience, Taiwan can broaden its place in international cooperation.
Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, parliament members and activists hold a news conference about Taiwan’s efforts to enter the World Health Organization, Taipei, Taiwan, 15 May 2020 (Photo: Reuters/Ann Wang).
In April 2020, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pledged donations of surgical face masks and other forms of medical assistance to foreign nations to support the global fight against COVID-19. Taiwan has had only 442 confirmed cases — almost 50 per cent of which have recovered — and only 7 fatalities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the European Union’s gratitude for Taiwan’s efforts and gestures of solidarity. Taiwan made a direct donation of 1 million face masks to the European Union and donated another 5.9 million face masks through bilateral channels to individual member states. Across Europe, Taiwan has been lauded for its domestic strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In the United States, the State Department issued a statement describing Taiwan’s COVID-19 response as a successful model and Taiwan as ‘a true friend’ in times of need. This follows US President Donald Trump signing legislation to support Taiwan’s recognition in international forums and to take unspecified action against countries that ‘undermine the security or prosperity of Taiwan’.
In April 2020, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pledged donations of surgical face masks and other forms of medical assistance to foreign nations to support the global fight against COVID-19. Taiwan has had only 442 confirmed cases — almost 50 per cent of which have recovered — and only 7 fatalities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the European Union’s gratitude for Taiwan’s efforts and gestures of solidarity. Taiwan made a direct donation of 1 million face masks to the European Union and donated another 5.9 million face masks through bilateral channels to individual member states. Across Europe, Taiwan has been lauded for its domestic strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In the United States, the State Department issued a statement describing Taiwan’s COVID-19 response as a successful model and Taiwan as ‘a true friend’ in times of need. This follows US President Donald Trump signing legislation to support Taiwan’s recognition in international forums and to take unspecified action against countries that ‘undermine the security or prosperity of Taiwan’. [FULL STORY]
