Secretary Blinken said Taiwan’s exclusion “undermines the important work” of the international organization and its related bodies.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on UN member states to support Taiwan’s “stable” participation in the work of UN agencies.
The call of the head of American diplomacy is a direct challenge to China, which insists that Taiwan is part of its territory and that only Beijing has the right to represent the island at the international level.
Taiwan held China’s place in the UN for more than 20 years, after Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist government retreated to the island when communist forces seized mainland China in 1949.
The seat was transferred to Beijing in 1971 following a vote by the UN General Assembly, but Taiwan was allowed to participate in the work of some UN agencies.
“The fact that Taiwan has consistently participated in the work of some UN specialized agencies for most of the last 50 years is evidence that the international community appreciates Taiwan’s contribution,” Blinken said. “Recently, however, Taiwan has not been allowed to contribute to the UN efforts.”
The head of American diplomacy pointed out that the exclusion of Taiwan from UN forums “undermines the important work carried out by the UN and related bodies, and they can all greatly benefit from the contribution” of Taiwan.
“That’s why we call on all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan’s stable, serious participation in the entire UN system and the international community,” he said.
He noted that Taiwan was deprived of the opportunity to participate in meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), despite the fact that it is a major transit hub, and the World Health Organization, despite the effective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
China has expressed “serious concern” about the U.S. statements in defense of Taiwan’s participation in the work of world organizations, saying that Washington’s efforts will not be crowned with success.
China is increasing military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan.
In the first days of October, when the main state holiday was celebrated in China, Beijing sent 149 military aircraft, a record number, to the southwest of Taiwan as part of strike groups, which forced Taiwan to take its planes into the air and activate air defense systems.
In addition, China recently conducted a disembarkation exercise on its side of the Taiwan Strait, which is about 160 kilometers wide. Beijing called these exercises and the aircraft incursions warnings from the administration of the President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen.
Despite the support of the “one China” policy, the United States provides military assistance to Taiwan.
At a public meeting last week organized by CNN, U.S. President Joe Biden said that the U.S. had committed to defending the island and would stand up for Taiwan if China attacked it.
Later, the White House said that the U.S. policy remains unchanged.
