105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 334

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Relating to Taiwan’s participation in the World

Health Organization.
105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 334

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas good health is a basic right for every citizen of the

world and access to the highest standards of health information and services is necessary to help guarantee this

right;

Whereas direct and unobstructed participation in international health cooperation forums and programs is

therefore crucial, especially with today’s greater potential
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for the cross-border spread of various infectious diseases

such as AIDS and Hong Kong bird flu through increased

trade and travel;

Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) set forth in

the first chapter of its charter the objective of attaining

the highest possible level of health for all people;

Whereas in 1977 the World Health Organization established

‘‘Health for all by the year 2000’’ as its overriding priority and reaffirmed that central vision with the initiation

of its ‘‘Health For All’’ renewal process in 1995;

Whereas Taiwan’s population of 21,000,000 people is larger

than that of 3⁄4 of the member states already in the

World Health Organization and shares the noble goals of

the organization;

Whereas Taiwan’s achievements in the field of health are

substantial, including one of the highest life expectancy

levels in Asia, maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those of western countries, the eradication of

such infectious diseases as cholera, smallpox, and the

plague, the first Asian nation to be rid of polio, and the

first country in the world to provide children with free

hepatitis B vaccinations;

Whereas prior to 1972 and its loss of membership in the

World Health Organization, Taiwan sent specialists to

serve in other member countries on countless health

projects and its health experts held key positions in the

organization, all to the benefit of the entire Pacific region;

Whereas Taiwan is not allowed to participate in any WHOorganized forums and workshops concerning the latest
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technologies in the diagnosis, monitoring, and control of

diseases;

Whereas in recent years both the Taiwanese Government and

individual Taiwanese experts have expressed a willingness

to assist financially or technically in WHO-supported

international aid and health activities, but have ultimately been unable to render such assistance;

Whereas according to the constitution of the World Health

Organization, Taiwan does not fulfill the criteria for

membership;

Whereas the World Health Organization does allow observers

to participate in the activities of the organization; and

Whereas in light of all of the benefits that such participation

could bring to the state of health not only in Taiwan, but

also regionally and globally: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) Taiwan and its 21,000,000 people should

4 have appropriate and meaningful participation in the

5 World Health Organization; and

6 (2) it should be United States policy to pursue

7 some initiative in the World Health Organization

8 which will give Taiwan meaningful participation in a
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1 manner that is consistent with such organization’s

2 requirements.

Passed the House of Representatives October 10,

1998.

Attest:

Clerk.