By James Lee-Huang and Li Pin-Hsuan
Taiwan’s campaign for inclusion in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) is gaining momentum, with advocacy events taking place worldwide. In South Africa, the latest effort came on Sunday with a vibrant “Run for WHA—Support Taiwan”. The international solidarity event, organised by the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women (GFCBW) South Africa Chapter, was held with great enthusiasm on the morning of Sunday, May 11, at Taroko Trail Park in Modderfontein, Johannesburg.
It aims to rally global support for Taiwan’s participation in the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), which will take place from May 19 to 27, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHA is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), responsible for setting global health policies, coordinating international disease responses, and electing the WHO Director-General.
Taiwan considers WHA participation a critical step toward greater global health integration. The island boasts a world-class healthcare system and has made substantial contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. “From Ebola relief in Africa to earthquake aid in Nepal, and donating masks and vaccines to over 80 countries during COVID-19, Taiwan consistently shows up in times of need. Including Taiwan in the WHA helps build a safer, healthier world—because health should know no borders,” said the event organisers.
Sunday’s run brought together more than 200 runners and around 30 supporters—including Taiwanese expatriates and local South Africans—demonstrating broad, multicultural support for Taiwan’s international engagement. They joined the event, which was part of the Modderfontein Half Marathon, which drew over 2,600 participants, becoming its major highlight of this year.
Dressed in T-shirts reading “Taiwan Can Help,” runners and cheering teams united in support of health equity and global solidarity. This highlighted Taiwan’s long history of providing medical aid across Africa, including to eSwatini, Liberia, Somaliland, and South Africa, underscoring its readiness to contribute meaningfully to global public health.
Notably, the initiative attracted not only enthusiastic members of the Taiwanese diaspora but also many local South Africans, underscoring the event’s cross-cultural and cross-community appeal. Runners wore commemorative T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Taiwan Can Help,” promoting messages of health, vitality, and awareness for global public health. Their presence along the trail symbolised a spirit of unity that transcended national borders, languages, and political boundaries.
GFCBW South Africa Chapter Chairwoman Chin Hsiao Yun stated, “Through this event, which symbolises both health and peace, we hope to help more people understand Taiwan and its contributions to global healthcare and humanitarian aid. We also aim to raise international awareness and support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA. Running is an activity open to all, regardless of background or language, making it an ideal platform to deliver the message that ‘Taiwan Can Help.’”
Hsu Shih-Hsu, Deputy Counsellor of the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa, also attended the event and emphasised Taiwan’s long-standing commitment to medical aid and public health cooperation across Africa. “Taiwan has actively contributed in countries such as Eswatini, Liberia, Somaliland, and South Africa—offering services ranging from cataract surgeries and basic healthcare support to Covid-19 prevention efforts. Inclusion in the WHA would allow Taiwan to expand its medical cooperation with African nations and benefit even more people,” he said.
Many South African participants also enthusiastically supported Taiwan. Janine, a local runner, commented, “We joined the race today because Taiwan is doing an excellent job in global healthcare. A country that cares so much about its people’s health should absolutely be part of the World Health Organisation. This was a really positive event, and our whole family enjoyed it.”
Mr. Zhou, a member of the overseas Taiwanese community, shared, “This is my first time participating in a run organized by GFCBW South Africa, and I’m thrilled to be here supporting Taiwan. During the pandemic, Taiwan helped countless people both domestically and internationally. I believe the world should see and recognize this strength.”
Several South Africa–based organisations lent their support, including the African Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (ATCC), the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in South Africa, and the South African Chinese Women’s Association. The ATCC, one of the most influential Taiwanese business groups in the region, actively promotes Taiwan’s WHA inclusion. In October 2024, it publicly expressed concern over the South African government’s request for Taiwan’s liaison office to move from Pretoria to Johannesburg, urging reconsideration and emphasizing Taiwan’s public health contributions. The office relocation remains under discussion, while international calls grow for South Africa to reverse the decision.
Globally, the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women (GFCBW) has been at the forefront of efforts supporting Taiwan’s WHO participation. In May 2024, GFCBW Chairwoman Vivi Chuang represented 88 chapters across 30 countries in appealing to U.S. leaders to maintain strong support for Taiwan and called on the WHO to include Taiwan in the WHA.
Over the past three years, 25 North American GFCBW chapters have jointly organized motorcades and rallies across the United States and South America to advocate for Taiwan. In Brazil, the GFCBW chapter organized a 2023 walk on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, where over 100 overseas Taiwanese participants wore “Taiwan” vests, waved ROC and Brazilian flags, and distributed Taiwan–Brazil dual-flag merchandise to boost public awareness.
In the United States, awareness events have been held in Greater Los Angeles, Baltimore, Atlanta, Southern California, Utah, and Greater New York. These included educational seminars, policy rallies, and community mobilisation efforts to raise Taiwan’s visibility on the global stage. In Baltimore, members rallied at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for WHA-related legislation.
As global voices grow louder in support of Taiwan’s inclusion, the message remains clear: health is a universal right, and Taiwan’s contributions are too vital to be left out. – @NewsSA_Online
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