President Ma Ying-jeou held a press conference on the afternoon of May 10 to express the government's position on the issue involving the name used to refer to the ROC in the World Health Organization (WHO).
Noting that internal WHO documents ask subordinate agencies to refer to the ROC as "Taiwan Province of China," President Ma stated that this diminishes the nation's status, and added that this appellation should not be adopted by a highly respected international organization. President Ma said that the ROC absolutely will not accept such an unfair and unreasonable treatment, nor will it accept being treated in a duplicitous manner. The president noted that he has already asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to lodge a strong protest with the WHO. At the same time, he has directed the MOFA to protest promptly whenever the nation's status is diminished or its sovereignty and dignity are harmed. The president said that no delay is acceptable in responding to these situations.
President Ma also lodged a serious protest with mainland Chinese authorities. He reminded listeners that he clearly stated in his 2008 inauguration address that "Taiwan doesn't just want security and prosperity. It wants dignity. Only when Taiwan is no longer being isolated in the international arena can cross-strait relations move forward with confidence." The president said that what has happened in the WHO is clearly the result of pressure exerted by mainland China. He stressed that both sides of the Taiwan Strait must cherish the benefits that have flowed from the mutual trust over the past three years, and stated that now is no time to be backsliding. The two sides should continue working to build mutual trust and establish a win-win situation. The WHO name issue is an unacceptable affront to the Taiwanese people, and is highly detrimental to the future development of cross-strait ties.
President Ma commented that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is an opposition party that has experience as the ruling party and understands the attendant challenges. During the DPP's tenure in power, the number of the ROC's diplomatic allies fell from 29 to 23, while the number of jurisdictions granting visa-free courtesies or landing visas to ROC nationals dropped from 54 to 53. In 2005, he said, the WHO referred to us as "Taiwan, China," and allowed no one here above the rank of director general to be “Point of Contact in Taipei.”
But after President Ma took office in May 2008, the WHO in 2009 began referring to us as "Taipei" or "Chinese Taipei." In addition, the Director General of the ROC’s Cabinet-level Department of Health, who was invited to participate in the World Health Assembly as the representative of "Chinese Taipei," was referred to as "Minister." President Ma commented that presently we maintain stable alliances with our 23 diplomatic allies, having not lost one of them on his watch. Moreover, the number of jurisdictions granting ROC nationals with visa-free courtesies or landing visas has risen from 53 to 113. These are the accomplishments of the ruling Kuomintang party on behalf of Taiwan, in an effort to defend the sovereignty and protect the dignity of the ROC. Therefore, he said, society at large should judge which ruling party has done a better job at protecting the nation's sovereignty and ensuring its dignity.
President Ma remarked that Taiwan faces serious challenges. The people of the nation must be united, he said, adding that should Taiwan face pressure in the international community, the government will undoubtedly make strong protests in response. Even though it is tough to overcome these difficulties, he stated, the government will adopt the most pragmatic and effective methods rather than resorting to slogans to appease the public. President Ma said the government must create a path for survival amid these challenges. A worthy and responsible government must use its wisdom and find ways to overcome adversity instead of just using slogans. The president also pledged to the people of Taiwan that he will spare no effort in defending the sovereignty of the ROC, ensuring the security of Taiwan, and protecting the dignity of its people.
【Source: Office of the President】