TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's efforts to participate in world health affairs will continue despite its exclusion from the World Health Assembly (WHA), President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said on (Saturday) June 1.

In a meeting with Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), Lai said Taiwan has made great strides to participate in global health, per a Presidential Office press release. The president lauded Chiu, who led a delegation to the 77th WHA, for his work. 

Lai said Chiu held more sideline meetings with higher-level officials this year than in previous years. The minister previously signed health cooperation agreements with countries including the Czech Republic, Canada, and the U.K. 

Lai said international support for Taiwan grows stronger each year. This year, 26 WHA member countries and the E.U. spoke up for Taiwan’s inclusion in the global health body, which underscores the nation’s indispensable role in ensuring global health security, he said.

Lai emphasized that health is a fundamental human right that knows no borders. The new government's goal is to build a "Healthy Taiwan," ensuring that citizens live long and healthy lives while leveraging Taiwan's public health and medical expertise to deepen international cooperation, he said.

Lai thanked the international community for their support and expressed gratitude to Chiu and his delegation. Taiwan will continue to deepen its partnerships globally, establishing a more resilient global public health system, he pledged.