The Administration supports efforts to allow Taiwan to participate in the
work of international organizations, including the World Health
Organization (WHO). To that end, the Administration supports any modality
or arrangement acceptable to the membership of the WHO or other
international organizations to allow for Taiwan's participation. The
Administration has engaged extensively with Taiwan to promote and cooperate
on public health issues and has suggested means to promote Taiwan's
participation in WHO. However, consistent with our "one China" policy, we
do not support Taiwan's membership in international organizations that
require statehood for membership, such as the UN and the WHO.
The Administration opposes H.R. 1794, which would require the Secretary of
State to submit a report to Congress on Administration efforts to more
actively support Taiwan's participation in these organizations,
particularly the WHO. This legislated requirement is unnecessary, would be
counterproductive to Taiwan's efforts, and could reduce the flexibility of
the various parties involved and make it more difficult for Taiwan to
participate meaningfully in these organizations. The Administration would
be prepared to brief Congress as requested on our ongoing efforts with
respect to Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
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