By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The 36th Guam Legislature endorses Taiwan’s bid to participate in the 75th annual assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), which will be held from May 22 to 28.
On Monday, Guam senators presented a resolution to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), expressing their support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the international event.
The resolution, sponsored by Vice Speaker Tina Rose Muna Barnes and Sens. Frank Blas Jr., was passed unanimously on April 29.
Muna Barnes attributed Taiwan’s successful containment of Covid-19 to its "early preparedness, health expertise, government competence and popular alertness."
She deplored that despite Taiwan's valuable input to Covid-19 solutions, the WHO still excludes Taiwan from international events.
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The resolution mentions Taiwan's assistance to Guam's health system over the years, especially during the pandemic.
Taiwan aided Guam by securing over 200,000 masks, 900 pandemic readiness kits, and four full-body temperature scanners with the assistance of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam.
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The 36th Guam Legislature reaffirmed Guam's relations with China's former province by supporting the efforts to grant Taiwan inclusion to international organizations.
Paul Chen, TECO's director general who received the resolution, said the people of Taiwan will reciprocate Guam's support.
Chen said TECO will bring Taiwanese tourists back to the island, reinstate direct flights between Taiwan and Guam and promote more education exchanges between both sides.
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The resolution also emphasizes the freedom and democracy enjoyed by the people of Taiwan “are clearly demonstrated in the progress and growth of the economy of this great country.” Guam “intends to continue to maintain relationships with one of our closest democratic countries in the Pacific.”
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