Taiwan, U.S. discuss UN participation ahead of key anniversary

Taiwan and U.S. officials have discussed how Taiwan can meaningfully participate at the United Nations just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping will give a speech to mark his country’s half decade.

Taiwan, using its formal name the Republic of China, held the Chinese seat at the UN until 25 October 1971, when it was voted out as representative of the country in favour of the People’s Republic of China, whose communist forces had won a civil war in 1949 and forced the republican government to flee to the island.

The US state department said, US and Taiwanese officials had met virtually on Friday for a discussion focused on supporting Taiwan’s ability to participate meaningfully at the UN.

“US participants reiterated the US commitment to Taiwan’s meaningful participation at the World Health Organization and UN framework convention on climate change and discussed ways to highlight Taiwan’s ability to contribute to efforts on a wide range of issues,” it added.

The statement came days after president Joe Biden said for the second time in three month that the US would come to Taiwan’s defence if it was attacked, prompting China to tell the US to “avoid sending any wrong signals.

Taiwan has been particularly angered by its inability to fully access the WHO during the COVID-19  pandemic, though China and the WHO say the island has been given the help it has needed.

China has recently ramped up political and military pressure to force Taiwan to accept Chinese sovereignty.

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Kamila/Reuters