TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – An estimated 120 Taiwanese residents of the Philippines marched in Manila Saturday (May 11) in support of their country’s bid to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA).

Taiwan has still not received an invitation to take part in the May 27-June 1 annual conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Pressure from China has resulted in Taiwan being barred from the event, though the number of countries voicing support for its participation has increased, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, Taiwanese living in Southeast Asia would support the campaign mostly by writing letters, but this time, they decided to move into an active mode and engage with the local public, said Andrew Liang (梁乙元), the president of the Taiwanese Compatriot Association in the Philippines. He added that he hoped that as a neighbor, the Philippines could support Taiwan’s efforts, per CNA.

Taiwan’s envoy in Manila, Wallace Chow (周民淦), also joined Saturday’s event. Marchers waved Taiwanese flags and wore white T-shirts with the phrase “Taiwan Can Help.”