Guam legislative resolution backs Taiwan’s inclusion in WHO

Group photo at the resolution presentation. From left, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office consular officer Gary Huang, Sen. James Moylan, Sen. Amanda Shelton, vice speaker Tina Muna Barnes, TECO director general Paul Chen, Sen. Tony Ada, Taiwan Overseas Community Affair Council’s associated adviser Jenny Yang, and TECO adviser Edward Lu. (Contributed Photo)

The 36th Guam Legislature presented a resolution to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam last May 10, supporting Taiwan’s participation in the 75th annual assembly of the World Health Organization that will be held on May 22 to 28.

The resolution, sponsored by vice speaker Tina Rose Muna Barnes and Sen. Frank Blas Jr., was passed unanimously on April 29. In addition to the vice speaker, legislative secretary Sen. Amanda Shelton, Sen. Tony Ada, and Sen. James Moylan also joined the presentation ceremony at the Guam Congress Building.

After receiving the resolution, TECO director general Paul Chen said that Taiwan won’t take this for granted. TECO will bring the direct flights between Taiwan and Guam back. TECO will bring Taiwanese tourists back. TECO is also going to promote more education exchanges between both sides.

According to Barnes, Taiwan’s achievements in health during the COVID-19 pandemic can only be attributed to itself and its ability for early preparedness, health expertise, government competence, and popular alertness. Even though Taiwan has valuable input in regards to COVID-19 and other medical solutions, the WHO still overlooks Taiwan from international events.

The resolution states that Taiwan has demonstrated incredible assistance to Guam’s health system over the years, especially during the pandemic, when Taiwan aided Guam by securing over 200,000 masks, 900 pandemic readiness kits, and four full-body temperature scanners with the assistance of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam.

Members of the 36th Guam Legislature aim to reaffirm and deepen the relations that have been built by supporting the efforts to grant Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations.

The resolution also emphasizes that the freedom and democracy enjoyed by the people of Taiwan “are clearly demonstrated in the progress and growth of the economy of this great country.” Guam “intends to continue to maintain relationships with one of our closest democratic countries in the Pacific.”

Chen also appreciates that since TECO reopened in October 2020, the Guam Legislature has officially supported Taiwan’s participation in the WHO’s annual assembly for two years in a row. TECO also thanks more than 250 people from the island community for joining the beach cleanup event last April 23, which celebrated Earth Day and also raised awareness of Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO. (PR)