S 249 — A bill to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.

249 ReportedEngrossed in Senate (RS)](ES)] <DOC> Calendar116th No.CONGRESS 2d Session S.

100249 116th_______________________________________________________________________ CONGRESSAN 1stACT SessionTo S.direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.

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_______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 29, 2019 Mr.

Inhofe (for himself, Mr.

Rubio, Mr.

Menendez, Mr.

Brown, Mr.

Cornyn, Mr.

Markey, Mr.

Cassidy, Mr.

Lankford, Mr.

Boozman, Mr.

Manchin, Mr.

Rounds, Mr.

Cruz, Mr.

Peters, Mr.

Wyden, Ms.

McSally, Mr.

Coons, Mr.

Scott of Florida, Mr.

Young, and Mr.

Gardner) introduced the following bill;

which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations June 3, 2019 Reported by Mr.

Risch, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <DELETED>SECTION 1.

PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, charged with coordinating health efforts within the United Nations system.

The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of the WHO, which convenes annually in May to set the policies and priorities of the organization.

Statehood is not a requirement for attendance at the WHA, and numerous observers, including non-members and non-governmental organizations, attended the most recent WHA in May 2018.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Taiwan began seeking to participate in the WHO as an observer in 1997.

In 2009, with strong support from successive United States Administrations, Congress, and like- minded WHO Member States, and during a period of improved Cross-Strait relations, Taiwan received an invitation to attend the WHA as an observer under the name ``Chinese Taipei''.

Taiwan received the same invitation each year until 2016, when following the election of President Tsai-Ing Wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's engagement in the international community began facing increased resistance from the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Taiwan's invitation to the 2016 WHA was received late and included new language conditioning Taiwan's participation on the PRC's ``one China principle''.

In 2017 and 2018, Taiwan did not receive an invitation to the WHA.</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) Taiwan remains a model contributor to world health, having provided financial and technical assistance to respond to numerous global health challenges.

Taiwan has invested over $6,000,000,000 in international medical and humanitarian aid efforts impacting over 80 countries since 1996.

In 2014, Taiwan responded to the Ebola crisis by donating $1,000,000 and providing 100,000 sets of personal protective equipment.

Through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, the United States and Taiwan have jointly conducted training programs for experts to combat MERS, Dengue Fever, and Zika.

These diseases know no borders, and Taiwan's needless exclusion from global health cooperation increases the dangers presented by global pandemics.</DELETED> <DELETED> (4) Taiwan's international engagement has faced increased resistance from the PRC.

Taiwan was not invited to the 2016 Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), despite participating as a guest at the organization's prior summit in 2013.

Taiwan's requests to participate in the General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) have also been rejected.

In May 2017, PRC delegates disrupted a meeting of the Kimberley Process on conflict diamonds held in Perth, Australia, until delegates from Taiwan were asked to leave.