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Gene Wang/Getty Images
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Baseball games have returned to Taiwan, but with social distancing
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, health officials will come together (virtually) next week at the World Health Assembly to decide how the world should tackle the crisis.
But one of the places that’s been most successful at protecting its people from the disease will not be invited to this meeting of the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Taiwan has been applauded internationally for quickly and effectively stemming the spread of the virus, and says it should have a platform to share its experiences with the world.
But China – which says Taiwan is part of its territory – has blocked Taiwan’s attendance since 2016.
In recent weeks, the US, EU, Japan and several other nations have backed Taiwan’s bid to attend the meeting on 18 May as an observer.
China – facing international criticism for both being the source of the pandemic and missteps in the early days of the spread – has hit back with zeal.
The Taiwan dispute is long-running, but Shelley Riggers, professor of political science at Davidson College and long-time Taiwan researcher, says there may now be “diminished patience” from some countries with an objection from China which “feels very abstract and ideological in a moment of, you know, global catastrophe”.
Why is Taiwan’s attendance controversial?
Taiwan has been self-ruled since the mainland government was toppled by the Communist Party in 1949 and fled to the island.
Under its One China policy, Beijing insists it is the legitimate ruler of Taiwan and it will one day be brought back under the leadership of the mainland, by force if necessary.
The current government in Taiwan is seen as pro-independence and since Tsai Ing-wen’s Democratic Progressive Party took power, relations with Beijing have soured.
Taiwan has its own army and currency and is treated by some governments as though its a de-facto state.
“China’s pretty steadfast on this, and it has nothing to do with public health and everything to do with China’s relationship with Taipei, and with President Tsai-Ing-wen who refuses to recognise China’s sovereignty over Taiwan,” says Drew Thompson, former US Defence department official responsible for China, Taiwan and Mongolia.
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Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected earlier this uear
Under Chinese pressure, all but 15 countries have cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan. But Taiwan has lobbied hard to be recognised by multi-lateral organisations like the WHO and others, as a way to seek legitimacy in the international arena.
And it hasn’t always been left out. Under the previous government – which wanted better relations with China – it had observer status at the WHO under the name “Chinese Taipei”. But since 2017, after Tsai Ing-wen’s election, it has not been invited back.
Every year since then Taiwan has lobbied member countries to be included. But ahead of this year’s meeting, the voices of support have come loud and clear.
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Taiwan was previously able to attend the annual meeting
Experts say says while in the past other countries may not have thought it worth it to risk offending China, that calculation has changed with Covid-19.
“Now, it’s not just about the health of people in Taiwan. It’s about the health of the people in our own countries. So you’re asking us to trade that away,” she says.
How does Covid-19 change things?
Taiwan has had astounding success battling the coronavirus. It has recorded only 440 cases and seven deaths in a population of 23 million, attributed largely to early border controls,