It is never too late for the UN to welcome Taiwan

[Anonymous]

It's a shame Taiwan is outside the international community. And as this pandemic has shown, it's also extremely dangerous. I don't care if Shen Li has a problem with that.



By Joseph Wu, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan).



The year 2020 didn't just bring the world COVID-19, it also marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations — the mission statement that undergirds inclusive multilateralism. Now, more than ever, the global community must forge the better, more sustainable future called for by the UN. Taiwan is ready, willing, and able to assist these efforts.



With fewer than 500 confirmed cases and seven deaths, Taiwan has defied predictions and successfully contained COVID-19.



We managed this without lockdowns; schools were only closed for two weeks in February. Baseball games also restarted in April with as many as 10,000 spectators by mid-July.



Taiwan's quick response measures, including the establishment of a Central Epidemic Command Center, stringent border controls and quarantine procedures, and transparent information-sharing, fostered this success.



We also took swift action to ensure an adequate stock of medical supplies for our world-class health care system.



After ensuring we had enough supplies domestically, we started providing medical equipment and supplies to countries in need.



By the end of June, Taiwan had donated 51 million surgical masks, 1.16 million N95 masks, 600,000 isolation gowns, 35,000 forehead thermometers, and other medical materials to over 80 countries, including the United States, Canada, Taiwan's diplomatic allies, and European nations.



In the Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, governments and heads of state acknowledge that only by working together in solidarity can we end the pandemic.



While member states have pledged to leave no one behind, this vision seems lacking when Taiwan—a model democracy and COVID-19 success story—continues to be barred from the UN system.



Even as the pandemic has made the international community acutely aware of Taiwan's unjust exclusion from the World Health Organization and the UN system, the People's Republic of China (PRC) continues to press the UN to erroneously interpret 1971 UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) as the legal basis for blocking Taiwan.



This resolution does not address the issue of Taiwan's representation in the UN, nor does it state that Taiwan is part of the PRC. In fact, Taiwan is not, nor has it ever been, a part of the PRC.



Our President and legislature are directly elected by the people of Taiwan. The UN must recognize that only Taiwan's democratically elected government can represent its 23.5 million people; the PRC has no right to speak on Taiwan's behalf.



Not having Taiwan's input in the UN will hamper member states' efforts to regain normalcy and implement SDGs.



Our economy has proven resilient: the Asian Development Bank forecast that Taiwan's economic performance in 2020 would be the best among the Four Asian Tigers— the only one to show positive growth.



With a long track record of assisting partner countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific, Taiwan is able to help. We could do that much more if allowed to participate in UN activities, meetings, and mechanisms.



Unfortunately, the 23.5 million people of Taiwan are denied any access to UN premises. Taiwanese journalists and media outlets are also denied accreditation to cover UN meetings. This discriminatory policy stems from the wrongful claims of and pressure from an authoritarian state, and contravenes the principle of universality and equality up on which the UN was founded.



"We the peoples of the United Nations determined . . . to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights . . . the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small"— thus begins the UN Charter.



The ideal of upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms for all must not remain empty words. As it looks ahead to the next 75 years, it is never too late for the UN to welcome Taiwan's participation.

[Anonymous]

If not for China's bullying of every country in the world, Taiwan would be a valued member of the international community..



And I don't think Shen Li concerns herself too much with Taiwan's status....mostly just nationalistic grumbling.

[Anonymous]

It is dangerous having Taiwan outside WHO. Get them in there. To hell with China.

[cc]

My guess is that if T gets back in, before he's done he will have all "good" and highly significant  counties working together with Taiwan



They have never had a as good  a peacemaker and fighter for good

[Anonymous]

My guess is that if T gets back in, before he's done he will have all "good" and highly significant  counties working together with Taiwan



They have never had a as good  a peacemaker and fighter for good

Even if he could get one other country with balls, Britain is the most likely candidate, to back the US in pushing for more international breathing space for Taiwan. Ideally, recognizing Taiwan as a nation would be the best move.

[Anonymous]

My guess is that if T gets back in, before he's done he will have all "good" and highly significant  counties working together with Taiwan



They have never had a as good  a peacemaker and fighter for good

Even if he could get one other country with balls, Britain is the most likely candidate, to back the US in pushing for more international breathing space for Taiwan. Ideally, recognizing Taiwan as a nation would be the best move.

Allowing Taiwan to participate in international organizations would require votes in the UN. China has most countries bought off.

[Anonymous]

My guess is that if T gets back in, before he's done he will have all "good" and highly significant  counties working together with Taiwan



They have never had a as good  a peacemaker and fighter for good

Even if he could get one other country with balls, Britain is the most likely candidate, to back the US in pushing for more international breathing space for Taiwan. Ideally, recognizing Taiwan as a nation would be the best move.

A major OECD country recognizing Taiwan would be a breakthrough.

[cc]

When T get's ratified for more time, expect that and many many more "China" pressures including Taiwan gains .. and China falling greatly in stature ... maybe going broke



In the unlikely even the spineless one won, we all best learn to speak Chinese

[Anonymous]

When T get's ratified for more time, expect that and many many more "China" pressures including Taiwan gains .. and China falling greatly in stature ... maybe going broke



In the unlikely even the spineless one won, we all best learn to speak Chinese

Which is why China will do anything to get Biden elected.

[Anonymous]

American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on January 9 that the USA will remove all "self-imposed restrictions" on contact with Taiwanese officials. I feel this will be reversed on January 21.

[Anonymous]

White House Sends Letter to Taiwan, Seeks Help With Auto Chips



WASHINGTON—The White House sent a letter to the Taiwanese government on Feb. 17 seeking its help to resolve a global shortage of computer chips that has wreaked havoc on the automotive industry. The letter stated that the "future is bright" for U.S.–Taiwan relations amid threats from China.



President Joe Biden's top economic adviser, Brian Deese, addressed the letter to Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua, and thanked her for working with Taiwanese chipmakers to ease the global shortfall.



"U.S. automotive companies remain significantly concerned about the impact of the auto chip shortage on production lines this year," the letter obtained by The Epoch Times reads.



The pandemic has spiked demand for consumer electronics, leading to the shortage of semiconductor chips. Global automakers have been hit especially hard from this supply shock; General Motors and Ford have temporarily shuttered some of their plants in response. The shortfall has also affected many global car brands, including Volkswagen, Toyota, and Nissan.



The semiconductor crunch has increased the strategic importance of Taiwan to Western governments. U.S., European, and Japanese automakers have been lobbying their governments to step in and engage with Taiwanese officials to address the shortage.



Taiwan is a crucial hub for the global semiconductor supply chain. Its semiconductor sector is the world's second-largest by revenue after the United States.



Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, and other Taiwanese companies have already ramped up production of vital chips to resolve the problem.



"We recognize the challenge of near-term constraints on auto chip manufacturing linked to production timelines for specific designs," Deese stated in his letter. "We appreciate your efforts to ensure a level-playing field for American companies seeking deliveries of available supplies."



Wang told reporters that she received the White House letter on Feb. 19.



"Going forward, manufacturers are doing what they should" to address the problem, she said. "We are helping as much as we can."



German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier also wrote a letter to Wang asking for help, according to Reuters.



The United States sees Taiwan as a strategic partner in Asia, and the Biden administration seeks to strengthen long-term cooperation with the self-governed island, according to the letter.



"We see significant potential for broader engagement over the medium-to-longer term to enhance supply chain resilience for the semiconductor industry," the letter stated.



In May 2020, TSMC announced that it would build the world's most advanced 5-nanometer chip fabrication facility in Arizona. The deal, according to experts, has the potential to fundamentally reorient Taiwan's high-tech supply chain away from China and toward the United States.



"We also look forward to working closely with you on the broader U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship, including facilitating trade between us," the letter stated. "The future is bright for U.S.-Taiwan economic cooperation."



The United States doesn't have a formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan but maintains unofficial ties with the self-ruled island under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. In recent years, there has been a bipartisan push for the establishment of a bilateral free-trade agreement with Taiwan.



Washington has long been cautious in dealing with Taipei for fear of provoking the regime in Beijing, which sees the democratic island as part of Chinese territory.



The nature of U.S.–Taiwan relations, however, has dramatically changed over the past year. Under Trump's presidency, Washington significantly expanded military aid to Taiwan.



The Trump administration in its final weeks also lifted restrictions on contact with Taiwanese diplomats and officials, marking a significant move to deepen ties with the island.



Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States attended Biden's inauguration last month. It was the first time Taiwan was officially invited to a presidential swearing-in since 1979, when the U.S. government switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing. It also signaled the continuation of increasing support for Taipei in the post-Trump era, despite constant threats of invasion by Beijing.



For the past several months, Beijing has repeatedly conducted military operations near Taiwan to express its frustration about changing U.S. foreign policy toward Taiwan.



While the Biden administration struck a positive tone in the letter, it's unclear whether the U.S. support for Taiwan will remain strong in the coming months. The new administration may reverse some of Trump's policies on Taiwan, according to experts, if Biden and his officials seek to reduce tensions with China.



"I think it's very early to really grasp the totality of Biden administration's China policy at the moment," Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.–Taiwan Business Council, told The Epoch Times.



"We really just haven't seen what each department's China policy is going to look like and how they weave it all together."

https://www.theepochtimes.com/white-house-sends-polite-letter-to-taiwan-asking-for-help_3705263.html?utm_source=morningbriefnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-02-22">https://www.theepochtimes.com/white-hou ... 2021-02-22">https://www.theepochtimes.com/white-house-sends-polite-letter-to-taiwan-asking-for-help_3705263.html?utm_source=morningbriefnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-02-22