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jonks
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1240
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 Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject: Should Taiwan have been allowed observer status at the WHA |
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What do you think? World Health Organisation - should be about people and health, not politics and naughtiness....
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Taiwan's new push for WHA role
Taiwan News
2006-05-23 Page 7
Published: 2006-05-23 08:38:33
Taiwan yesterday launched its 10th bid to gain observer status in the World Health Association in Geneva in an attempt to overcome the political obstacles to our participation in the World Health Organization.
Taiwan has been blocked for three decades from participating in the WHO due to political reasons, namely the ruthless suppression by the Chinese Communist Party-led government of the People's Republic of China of the right of our 23 million people to be represented in this humanitarian and allegedly "universal" organization.
Taiwan's annual campaigns aim to attract international attention to the fact that Taiwan's exclusion violates the WHO's principle of universality and also threatens the health of the people of Taiwan and the people in the rest of the world. Since Taiwan is not a WHO member, it cannot obtain "real time" WHO information regarding the prevention and control of major infectious diseases, thus opening a weak link in the world chain of defenses against pandemics.
Not surprisingly, Beijing officials have again recited their mantra that allowing Taiwan to participate directly in the WHO would mark recognition for "Taiwan independence," claiming that WHO membership is open only to sovereign states, heedless of the question of whether all people are or must be represented by such states.
This year, the PRC is also concerned with preventing Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party from winning credit for progress on this sensitive issue in the run-up to the March 2008 presidential election.
Beijing will clearly maintain or even intensify its diplomatic campaign against Taiwan's entry in any form in the WHA so long as the DPP is in office.
If the former ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang), once the CCP's bitterest foe and now a new-found ally, wins back power over Taiwan in the March 2008 poll, the PRC authorities are likely to offer a deal along the lines of the infamous "memorandum of understanding" signed between Beijing and the WHO secretariat last June that "allows" Taiwan medical specialists to take part in WHO work under the PRC's umbrella as "Taipei, China."
The chances of Taiwan's 10th application for WHA observer status remain quite dim, especially since Taiwan has only 24 official allies among the 192 member states of the WHA.
Nevertheless, in order to avoid political conflicts over the sovereignty issue and reduce the risk of reducing its potential support for its appeal to universality, Taiwan has sought to employ creative and flexible methods, including the push to participate as an observer as a "health entity" and now to call for Taiwan's "meaningful participation" in other formats.
International backing
During the past 10 years, Taiwan's campaign has received growing support. The United States and Japan have openly expressed their backing for Taiwan's WHO bid, while the European Union has also become more favorable, as shown by the passage of a resolution last week by the European Parliament supporting Taiwan's participation in the WHO. Yesterday, the New Zealand parliament also gave its backing as did the World Medical Association.
Moreover, the International Federation of Journalists and the Paris-based Reporters without Borders also also protested the exclusion of Taiwan reporters from the WHA for the third straight year, a violation of news freedom that is also committed at Beijing's behest.
The gradually expanding sympathy for Taiwan's WHA bid indicates the potential for Taiwan to appeal for support from the global community on human security or human rights grounds.
After all, as an actually-existing member of the global village, Taiwan has the obligation to warn international society of any outbreak of disease. Any negligence on Taiwan's part means the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network will be in vain and may cause more deaths than a major war. No less importantly, the victims will not be confined to people in any particular countries nor can disease be prevented from crossing all borders, whether or not such borders are officially recognized.
Hence, the question of Taiwan's substantive "meaningful participation" in WHO mechanisms such as the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network is not a question of Taiwan's status or of support or opposition to "Taiwan independence" but of the health of the entire global community.
The stubborn and inhumane opposition by the PRC regime to Taiwan's participation in the WHA and WHO is as irresponsible as Beijing's deliberate concealment of the extent of the spread of SARS three years ago.
A book published by the International Health Organization on "SARS: How a global epidemic was stopped" written by a team of public health experts and scientists reported that the SARS epidemic probably originated in southern China and charged PRC officials with trying to deny and cover up the information. However, this book does not take note of the PRC's inhumane opposition to Taiwan's efforts to secure assistance from the WHO for the outbreak of SARS in our country.
In line with fulfilling our substantive responsibility to global society, Taiwan has adopted a strategy that essentially places higher priority on securing "meaningful participation" in the WHO's work while continuing to strive for observer status in the WHA as a "health entity."
Taiwan's flexible approach should be welcomed by the international society, but it should be carefully handled so as not to imply acceptance of the under the table PRC-WHO "memorandum of understanding" under which the WHO would permit Taiwan's participation in a debased and undignified manner under the PRC's umbrella.
Such an arrangement clearly does not "set aside" the issue of sovereignty but clearly accepts the PRC view and thus sells out the rights of Taiwan's people to be masters of their own fate and to be represented by their own democratically elected government.
The DPP government also must take the initiative to explain to our citizens that this arrangement does not gain genuinely "meaningful participation" for Taiwan's people in the WHO but actually makes any WHO relationship with Taiwan subject to Beijing's whim.
The praise lavished by KMT honorary Chairman Lien Chan on this under the table deal negotiated behind the back of Taiwan's people should also give our citizens cause to pause and consider how effectively the KMT will safeguard our sovereignty and right of free choice if they do return to power in two years.
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Source: http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=104757
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 4:35 am Post subject: No special status for Taiwan. |
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This whole issue is entirely political Jonks. Taiwan is already represented at the WHO via the Chinese delegation. It has been offered the right for its delegates to sit as a seperate defined bloc (as Tapei, China) at the WHO but the Taipei govt refuses to allow its delegates to take part.
Just as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland participate in the WHO through the UK and Texas, California, Florida and Maine are represented by the US delegation then why should Taiwan be given some kind of special status solely becase the local Taiwan government refuses to allow the Taiwan representatives to take their place as part of the Cihese delegation.
If I refuse to be represented by my govt would I have the right to represent myself at the WHO?
Neither does Taiwan. |
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jonks
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1240
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| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:18 am Post subject: |
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Stillnosheep, try buying a lamb.
Of course this is a political issue. I didn't pretend it wasn't.
Here is a link to the discussion in the 'off topic' China thread if anyone is interested. But please, give us your opinion here (or there).
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=39367
Last edited by jonks on Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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What do you think? World Health Organisation - should be about people and health, not politics and naughtiness....
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In short.. no!
The occupational government is doing the people of Taiwan a great dis-service by refusing to be admitted in the WHA as "Chinese Taipei" or under a similar title.
It is a political stunt being used to try to increase the local pro- independence sentiment.
If the occupational government was truly concerned that the lack of WHA admission for Taiwan was negatively affecting the health of the people it oppresses then it would simply accept membership under any circumstances.
Taiwan is not yet a nation and will not be accepted as one until it rids itself of it's occupational government and starts acting like "a real nation".
That means putting it's own corrupt self interest aside and acting in ways that benefit all the people on Taiwan, not just the few, most corrupt political and business elite.
Last edited by Aristotle on Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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SanChong
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:05 am Post subject: |
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Please give us evidence of anything you wrote above.
Also, let's be honest here. Anytime you say Taiwan has an "occupational government", you really mean that you support China. It's pretty clear that you sypmathize with China's communist ideals, etc.
You simply won't come out and say that because you feel it will cause people to stop listening to you. This shouldn't stop you, however, because people stopped listening to you long ago. |
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Horizontal Hero
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 2492
Location: The civilised little bit of China.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Aristotle wrote: |
| Quote: |
What do you think? World Health Organisation - should be about people and health, not politics and naughtiness....
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In short.. no!
The occupational government is doing the people of Taiwan a great dis-service by refusing to be admitted in the WHA as "Chinese Taipei" or under a similar title.
It is a political stunt being used to try to increase the local pro- independence sentiment.
If the occupational government was truly concerned that the lack of WHA admission for Taiwan was negatively affecting the health of the people it oppresses then it would simply accept membership under any circumstances.
Taiwan is not yet a nation and will not be accepted as one until it rids itself of it's occupational government and starts acting like "a real nation".
That means putting it's own corrupt self interest aside and acting in ways that benefit all the people on Taiwan, not just the few, most corrupt political and business elite. |
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Horizontal Hero
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 2492
Location: The civilised little bit of China.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Aristotle wrote: |
Taiwan is not yet a nation and will not be accepted as one until it rids itself of it's occupational government and starts acting like "a real nation".
That means putting it's own corrupt self interest aside and acting in ways that benefit all the people on Taiwan, not just the few, most corrupt political and business elite. |
So, is the PRC considered a legitimate nation? Under what deed does its government establish its legitimacy? Well, if only we could sneak into those very seccret meetings held every four years in the Great Hall of the People then we might be able to find out what the CCP thinks. But in the end they can think what they want. They elected themselves. They continue to elect themselves. They decide whatever they want. Because they are accountable to nobody but themselves.
Now, tell me why Taiwan doesn't want to go through the PRC to be a part of the WHO? |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:42 am Post subject: |
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| Horizontal Hero wrote: |
| So, is the PRC considered a legitimate nation? |
One can only presume that thequestion is rhetorical, as well as puerile and uninformed, unless of course HH is in possession of information on GWB's new expanded list of 'illegitamate nations' not yet in the public domain?
Who will be next one wonders: Canada? The UK? France? |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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Horizontal Hero
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 2492
Location: The civilised little bit of China.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:06 am Post subject: |
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| stillnosheep wrote: |
| Horizontal Hero wrote: |
| So, is the PRC considered a legitimate nation? |
One can only presume that thequestion is rhetorical, as well as puerile and uninformed, unless of course HH is in possession of information on GWB's new expanded list of 'illegitamate nations' not yet in the public domain?
Who will be next one wonders: Canada? The UK? France? |
This is not a rhetorical question. Answer it. Under what pretext is the current leadership of China (and therefore the foundation of the nation) legitimate? What is the basis of its madate to rule over 1.3 billion people? I'd be quite interested to hear your answer.
You have also deliberately taken the sentence you copied from my previous post out of context. It is clearly asked with reference to the legitimacy of the current CCP leadership of China.
I await your answer to the question I have posed. |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:49 am Post subject: |
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| Horizontal Hero wrote: |
| What is the basis of its madate to rule. |
I think you will find that GWB is the only madape to rule. |
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Horizontal Hero
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 2492
Location: The civilised little bit of China.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:35 am Post subject: |
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| stillnosheep wrote: |
| Horizontal Hero wrote: |
| What is the basis of its madate to rule. |
I think you will find that GWB is the only madape to rule. |
Typo aside, you have not answered the question.
The CCP mode of answering questions:
1) Never permit open questioning. Pre-arrange all questions, and all answers.
2) If an actual question slips through, never answer it.
3) Begin by re-directing the focus by:
a) making an accusation of the questioner or another country, or;
b) ask a different emotive question of accusative nature.
4) If all else fails keep repeating the CCP mantra: "This is an internal affair of China."
5) Never answer the question (just to make sure you understand that one).
Still waiting for your answer to the question stillnosheep. |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:05 am Post subject: |
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What question?
Neither the outcome of the struggle between the CCP and the KMD in the 1940s nor the fact that China is not a western-style multi-party liberal democracy is disputed by anyone (not even the KMD anymore).
If you wish to question the right of the present government of China to represent the people of China please take it up with the UN and the goverments of the US and over 100 nations around the world who recognise it as legitimate. |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| Horizontal Hero wrote: |
| So, is the PRC considered a legitimate nation? |
Yes. The the PRC, and it's government is considered legitimate by the UN, of which it is a founding member and permanent member of the security council , the EU, and hundreds of nations around the world, including the USA, Russia, France, the UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Ghana, Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Malaya, Indonesia, Burma, Vietnam, Korea (North and South) Thailand, Laos, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Columbia, Nicaragua, Venezuala, Trinidad and Tobago, Toga, Chad ... in fact everyone from Afghanistan and Albania to Zaire and Zimbabwe (although not, apparently, by Horizontal Hero). |
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Horizontal Hero
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 2492
Location: The civilised little bit of China.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:23 am Post subject: |
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| stillnosheep wrote: |
| Horizontal Hero wrote: |
| So, is the PRC considered a legitimate nation? |
Yes. The the PRC, and it's government is considered legitimate by the UN, of which it is a founding member and permanent member of the security council , the EU, and hundreds of nations around the world, including the USA, Russia, France, the UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Ghana, Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Malaya, Indonesia, Burma, Vietnam, Korea (North and South) Thailand, Laos, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Columbia, Nicaragua, Venezuala, Trinidad and Tobago, Toga, Chad ... in fact everyone from Afghanistan and Albania to Zaire and Zimbabwe (although not, apparently, by Horizontal Hero). |
If only diplomatic recognition and political legitimacy were the same thing, it would be a simple world. You can twist words however you want, SNS, but you know as well as me that a major thrust of political unrest in modern China centres upon the legitimacy of its rulers. The CCP came to power on the basis of Marxist rhetoric, gaining backing from the peasantry. The Nationalists backed the industrialists (esp. in Shanghai) and lost. Then Deng and the CCP turned and reversed the process, abandoning the peasantry and backing the industrialisation and development of the country above all political, philosophical and moral considerations. All references to Marx and Mao are now purely rhetorical, and designed to present the illusion of continuity of thought and spirit with the founders of the PRC. It is nonsense brought forward to create the illusion of legitimacy because the reality is that the CCP has no intrinsic political or moral basis to be the rulers of China. And they know it. Millions of Chinese know it too. Millions of people in the countries you listed know it also. If the CCP had some genuine legitimacy it would have no need to ban political opposition, tell countless lies about history, block 200 000 web sites, ban tens of thousands of books, intercept television transmissions from abroad, and have more journalists in jail than any other nation on earth.
The CCP is a dinosaur � and a fake one at that, much like the culture of lies and fakes it has so irresponsibly permitted to replace genuine Chinese culture and ethics in mainland China today. Lying, forgery, unaccountability, irresponsibility and illegitimacy begin at the top in the PRC and work their way down through the entire fabric of society. Personally I think its time for a change. |
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