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The Patterns of Interaction Between Taiwan and China in the World Health Organization

The Patterns of Interaction Between Taiwan and China in the World Health Organization. Dr. Sigrid Winkler Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel sigrid.winkler@vub.ac.be. Introduction. How far is Taiwan’s participation in the WHO independent from China’s? Sovereignty

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The Patterns of Interaction Between Taiwan and China in the World Health Organization

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  1. The Patterns of Interaction Between Taiwan and China in the World Health Organization Dr. Sigrid Winkler Institute for European Studies, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel sigrid.winkler@vub.ac.be

  2. Introduction • How far is Taiwan’s participation in the WHO independent from China’s? • Sovereignty • Early attempts for participation • SARS • Memorandum of Understanding (2005) • International Health Regulations (since 2009) • Observer in World Health Assembly (since 2009)

  3. Sovereignty • International Legal Sovereignty • Diplomatic recognition • Domestic Sovereignty • Effective governance • Functional Sovereignty • International Actorness without diplomatic recognition

  4. Sovereignty • The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. (WHO Constitution, Preamble) • The objective of the World Health Organization shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. (WHO Constitution, Art. 1) • Membership in the Organization shall be open to all States. (WHO Constitution, Art. 3) • Observer status: PLO, ICRC, Order of Malta…

  5. Early Attempts Inclusion of Taiwan’s bid on WHA agenda?

  6. SARS • Taiwan’s death toll 3rd highest • WHO took 50 days to react to Taiwan’s requests for emergency support • Observers, not support • China claimed: • Agreed to WHO dispatch • Agreed to Taiwanese participation in WHO SARS conference • provided Taiwan with SARS information • exchanges with Taiwan’s medical professionals • Cross-Strait SARS symposium

  7. MOU (2005) • Secret, but leaked internal WHO implementation document • 3 cases: • Taiwanese public health and medical experts in WHO technical meetings • WHO medical and public health assistance for Taiwan • WHO assistance in public health emergency • (1)+(2): China needs to give consent • (3): China needs to be consulted • Problems: • Lengthy procedures • Low participation rate in technical meetings • “Taiwan, China”

  8. IHR (2009) • IHR renegotiated 2005: • “The implementation of these Regulations shall be guided by the goal of their universal application for the protection of all people of the world from the international spread of disease.” (IHR 2005, Art. 3) • China: • “The Government of the People’s Republic of China decides that the International Health Regulations (2005) (…) applies to the entire territory of the People’s Republic of China, includingthe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Taiwan Province.” (Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on China’s Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)) • Letter from WHO to Taiwan CDC • Benefits: • IHR event information site

  9. IHR (2009) • Taiwan CDC received invitation letter from WHO • Benefits: • IHR event information website • Taiwan CDC = “contact point” • WHO support in outbreak emergency • Member for expert roster • Reasons for inclusion • China’s consent • Improved cross-Strait relations (Ma Ying-jeou)

  10. WHA (since 2009) • April 2009: consultations between Taiwan and China • Annual invitation • “Chinese Taipei” Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2009/0429/p06s19-woap.html

  11. Criticism • Asking China for permission • “Taiwan, China”, “province of China” • Still not high level of participation in technical meetings • MOU still alive?

  12. Conclusions • For WHO Taiwan is a part of China (ILS), albeit with large autonomy (FS) • Logic of the institution: state-based • If MOU is not abolished: • Beijing as Taiwan’s central government • If MOU abolished: • Taiwan still needs general consent from China • Can China take Taiwan’s participation away • IHR: invitation directly from WHO • WHA?

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