A civic group promoting the nation’s bid to rejoin the UN urged President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) government to apply for UN membership under the name of “Taiwan” next month to reinforce the nation’s status as a sovereign state.
Taiwan UN Alliance president Michael Tsai (蔡明憲) said that although obtaining the UN General Assembly’s acceptance for an application under the name “Taiwan” would be difficult, applying for membership under this name is a symbolic gesture that the government must make.
The alliance is to form a group to promote “Taiwan for the UN” and stage demonstrations in front of the UN headquarters in New York from Sept. 9 to Sept. 19, Michael Tsai said, adding that the move aims to show the world Taiwan’s resolve to join the UN.
The government sending Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Tzou-yien (林奏延) to the World Health Assembly to represent the nation under the name “Chinese Taipei” in May was disappointing, Michael Tsai said, adding that some of Tsai Ing-wen’s supporters said they were wrong to vote for her.
The government should look into ways to attend the UN General Assembly on Sept. 13, Michael Tsai said, adding that “the application for UN membership next month is the best time for Tsai Ing-wen to show the world Taiwan’s resolve to join the UN.”
Alliance secretary-general William Luo (羅榮光) said the government should seek UN membership under the name “Taiwan,” as the Republic of China’s (ROC) seat is occupied by China.
The ROC, one of the founding members of the UN, withdrew from the UN in 1971 when a UN resolution ruled that the People’s Republic of China was the only legitimate representative of China to the international body.
“China’s vociferous claims that Taiwan is a part of China must be fought, lest the international community mistakenly believe Taiwan is silently agreeing to such claims,” Luo said, adding that Taiwanese non-governmental organizations are pushing for the government to apply for UN membership.
Presidential Office spokesperson Alex Huang (黃重諺) said that issues over improving Taiwan’s participation at international bodies, including UN organizations, are being discussed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government would continue to solicit international support under the pre-requisite of maintaining the nation’s sovereignty, honor and national interests.
Additional reporting by Su Fang-ho
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