Taiwan in Spain
The ambassador defends Taiwan’s modern health system and reviews the Asian country’s international support
The Republic of China (Taiwan) has the ambassador in Spain as its representative Vivia Chang (Taipei, 1965), a woman who arrived in Madrid last July after a long diplomatic career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Asian country and in Latin America. Chang has also been representative in Portugal and ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Honduras. Now, as ambassador to Spain, her main concern is her country’s tense relationship with the People’s Republic of China and the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Assembly, something Chang attributes to “irrational” political prejudices. .
Q.- After the presidential elections in January, are many changes expected in Taiwan politics?
A.- Our elected president, Lai Ching-te, will take office on May 20, and has proposed an action plan based on «four pillars»: building Taiwan’s defense capabilities, treating economic security as national security, forming alliances with democracies around the world, and establishing strong and principled cross-Strait leadership. We will continue to defend our democracy and our freedom and continue to show ourselves to the world as a “free country”, a mature democracy, a beacon of freedom and a bastion of human rights in Asia.
Q.- Do you expect any change in China’s position towards Taiwan?
A.- Yes China wants to truly demonstrate good intentions, it must immediately stop any kind of coercion towards Taiwan. The only way to resolve discrepancies is restart dialog based on parity with the democratically elected government of the Taiwanese. From Taiwan we once again call on the authorities in Beijing to take seriously the fundamental public opinion of the people of Taiwan and respond to the hope and concern of international society. Take concrete measures to maintain stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait and to promote positive development of cross-Strait ties.
Q.- Do you hope to maintain the support that the international community gives to Taiwan?
A.- It is important to have the unity and firm support of democracies, such as the European Union, the United States and Japan, among others. In the last five years, the European Parliament has adopted more than forty resolutions and reports to demonstrate its support for Taiwan. The most recent, from last February, reiterate that Taiwan is a key partner of the European Union and a democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific region. Parliament calls on the EU and its Member States to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan, especially to strengthen the resilience of the global supply chain. It also denounces China’s continued blockade of Taiwan’s international participation and calls on Member States to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. The recent G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, held on April 17 in Italy, has also reiterated the importance of cross-Strait peace and its support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, especially the World Assembly. of Health that is celebrated this month of May.
Q.- How does its exclusion from the World Health Assembly affect Taiwan?
A.- Despite being the main international organization that defends the right to health, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to exclude Taiwan due to irrational political considerations. This endangers the right to health of Taiwan’s 23 million citizens. For example, in December 2021, WHO member states established a process to draft and negotiate a new international agreement on more robust measures to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics. The document now called the WHO Pandemic Treaty could be approved during this year’s World Health Assembly. And although Taiwan makes great contributions to global health security, it could be excluded from the agreement. It is imperative that the World Health Organization adopts a more open-minded and flexible approach, adhering to the principles of professionalism and inclusion. And to take the pragmatic initiative to invite Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly and all WHO meetings, activities and mechanisms, particularly those related to the WHO agreement on the pandemic.
Q.- What would Taiwan contribute to the global health system if it could participate in the WHO?
A.- Over the past decades, Taiwan has strengthened its medical care and public health system in accordance with WHO recommendations, and has committed to the goal of achieving universal health coverage. These efforts include improving primary care and oral health, as well as combating communicable and non-communicable diseases. As for the Covid-19Taiwan established response measures that took advantage artificial intelligence, big data and surveillance networks. We have made very significant advances in health and we are willing to share our experience and knowledge with the world. Our goal is to achieve the goal of health for all and establish better collaboration with global partners. With this, we will see the fundamental human right to health stipulated in the WHO Constitution and the vision of leaving no one behind adopted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals realized.
