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 infor-
mation and services is necessary to help guarantee this
right;
Whereas direct and unobstructed participation in inter-
national 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 prior-
ity 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 com-
parable 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 re-
gion;
Whereas Taiwan is not allowed to participate in any WHO-
organized 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 ulti-
mately 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
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
(1) Taiwan and its 21,000,000 people should
have appropriate and meaningful participation in the
World Health Organization; and
(2) it should be United States policy to pursue
some initiative in the World Health Organization
which will give Taiwan meaningful participation in a
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manner that is consistent with such organization’s
requirements.
Passed the House of Representatives October 10,
1998.
Attest:
Clerk.