May 16, 2023
no. 160
Cochairs of the New Zealand All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Taiwan Simon O’Connor MP and Ingrid Leary MP signed a joint letter on May 16 on behalf of the 25-member group urging the government and parliament of New Zealand to support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly (WHA). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely welcomes and appreciates this concrete demonstration of support from the APPG, which was established on March 29.
The letter states that although Taiwan’s efficient response model to combat the COVID-19 pandemic was widely recognized by the international community, Taiwan continues to be excluded from WHO and the WHA. Its exclusion not only jeopardizes the right to health of the 23 million Taiwanese people, but also contradicts WHO’s mandate of health for all. Taiwan is a valuable and indispensable partner in establishing a complete and seamless global public health and disease prevention system and advancing the health of humankind. In the letter, the APPG further calls on the New Zealand government and parliament to publicly voice support in the international arena for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA and WHO.
As like-minded partners that share the core values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, Taiwan and New Zealand continue to deepen cordial ties across all domains. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Taiwan-New Zealand economic cooperation agreement (ANZTEC). Annual bilateral trade has exceeded NZ$3 billion, making Taiwan the eighth-largest market for New Zealand’s exports of goods. In joint statements issued after leaders’ summits with the United States and the United Kingdom last year, the government of New Zealand underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and publicly advocated for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Taiwan and New Zealand will continue to build on these existing solid foundations to further enhance bilateral exchanges, jointly safeguard the universal values of freedom and democracy, and contribute to global health and well-being. (E)