TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Hundreds of Taiwanese and Filipinos walked in a charity event in Manila on Saturday to support Taiwan’s bid to attend the World Health Assembly.

Taiwan has still not received an invitation to take part in the May 19-27 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.

The Taiwanese Association of the Philippines organized the “Taiwan Can Help” “Health for All” charity walk in the city of Caloocan in Metro Manila, per CNA. The event concluded with the distribution of 1,000 bags of white rice and other goods to the local community.

The Philippines’ envoy in Taiwan, Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, said the world needed a partner to solve health problems with innovative and advanced technology, so Taiwan should be allowed to join the global healthcare network.

The global prevention of and response to medical emergencies could only be complete if Taiwan was included, said Taiwan Representative in the Philippines Wallace Chow (周民淦). He called on all countries, including the Philippines, to support Taiwan’s bid to take part as an observer in all World Health Organization activities.