The Hill: U.S. asks WHO to invite Taiwan to health assembly next week
“The U.S. has asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan to its World Health Assembly (WHA) next week, the Associated Press reports. The U.S. cited Taiwan’s ‘resounding success’ in fighting COVID-19 in its appeal to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, AP notes. The WHA, the decision-making body that oversees the WHO, is expected to hold a virtual meeting from Nov. 9-14. China has objected to Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was elected, AP notes. Ing-wen has been pro-independence, which has angered Beijing. The U.S., however, has pushed for Taiwan’s inclusion as part of its efforts to counteract China’s influence at the WHO, which President Trump has called ‘China-centric.’ The U.S. has already made plans to withdraw from the global health body…” (Williams, 11/6).

Coverage of the implications of a Biden administration for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is available from Al Jazeera.