Menendez, Inhofe Applaud President Biden Signing Legislation Supporting Taiwan’s Observer Status at WHO’s World Health Assembly

WASHINGTON – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), co-chairmen of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, today issued the below statements in reaction to President Joe Biden signing their bipartisan legislation to direct the State Department to develop a strategy to assist Taiwan in obtaining observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, into law.

“I am immensely thrilled to see President Biden sign our bill to support Taiwan’s observer status at the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly into law,” Chairman Menendez said. “As Beijing’s aggressive stance toward Taiwan continues to intensify, the United States is once again demonstrating our commitment to ensuring Taiwan’s presence on the international stage. I look forward not only to working with the Biden administration to bolster our support for Taiwan’s engagement, but in doing so, am proud to rightfully honor Taiwan’s immense contributions to the global community as a leader in medical technology and generous contributor to humanitarian aid.”

“Taiwan’s observer status must be restored and with the signing of this bipartisan legislation, we are one step closer to that goal,” Senator Inhofe said. “China continues to block Taiwan from obtaining observer status at the World Health Assembly, despite Taiwan being a strong, reliable and dedicated partner to the United States and the international community. Given China’s continued malicious behavior, we cannot allow them to refuse Taiwan a seat at the table any longer.”

Find a copy of the legislation HERE.

###