First, I would like to congratulate members of the Taiwan IHA for the important work you will now embark on through the operation of this new organization. And I believe much can be expected for Taiwan IHA to be a fine example of global public health efforts and an important partner to other international health organizations.
"Love and Peace, and Humanitarian Compassion" are Taiwan's most cherished ideals. These enduring values are the building blocks for the bridge of goodwill between Taiwan, a nation surrounded by oceans, and the rest of the world. For a long time, Taiwan's medical missions reached places in the throes of human suffering where medical help is most needed; and they do so by springing into action to deliver first hand the warmth and compassion of the Taiwan people.
Oftentimes, Taiwan's medical volunteers are the first responders arriving at the frontline of disasters, providing emergency assistance to those afflicted by calamities. Some of them even take up posts in remote and impoverished areas, where people are in dire need of health care and hygienic interventions. These men and women courageously reach out to the world without reservation or hesitation, and asking for nothing in return. As they contribute their professional expertise, they pass on also the most genuine and altruistic friendship of the Taiwan people to those in need everywhere around the globe.
During the 40's and the 50's, the world community extended a helping hand to Taiwan, propelling our nation to achieve rapid growth on various fronts. After half a century of uphill struggle, the diligence and enterprise of the 23 million people of Taiwan have reaped bountiful fruits of labor. Taiwan today stands as a nation enjoying high level of freedom and democracy, and achieving remarkable economic prosperity. We now not only are capable of giving back to the international community, but have also been proactive in fulfilling the responsibilities and obligations as a member of the global village.
According to statistics over the past decade, Taiwan has contributed over $450 million USD to various health and emergency humanitarian projects, in addition to countless free clinics and health services provided. Furthermore, Taiwan's more than 200,000 health professionals, over 500 private and public medical facilities, dozens of health research institutes, and hundreds of medical and public health professional organizations and NGOs now form the web of support for Taiwan's international health cooperation and medical missions abroad.
With the advent of a new era characterized by increasing interdependency among nations, I strongly believe that by joining forces in our hearts and in our actions, we can make a difference in the world. I believe also that those in better position to provide the uplifting strength to change the world for the better must assume greater responsibilities to fight poverty, to eradicate diseases, and to eliminate despair in the human society. We must work together to keep the flame of hope alive for those living in destitution in dark corners of the earth, and to do what is possible to bring about a more equitably developed world. Only by so doing, I believe, will human civilization continue to progress in peace and prosperity for years to come.
In a few days, we will be celebrating the "World Health Day" on April 7th. The establishment of the "Taiwan International Health Action," therefore, represents a particularly meaningful endowment that Taiwan makes to the international community. I am convinced that henceforth the efforts of Taiwan IHA will spur on the propagation of even more kindness and generosity in the human society.
However, on this occasion, we must also point out with a heavy heart that despite Taiwan's widely-celebrated achievements and contribution to international health, Taiwan continues to be excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to China's flagrant onslaught on Taiwan's involvement in the international community. To date, Taiwan is yet to be accepted to participate in the World Health Assembly.
Poignant lessons from the SARS epidemic taught us that transparency in disease reporting and data sharing, in conjunction with comprehensive and timely international health cooperation are key to effective global disease prevention. They are also the most decisive factors in ensuring human safety from the threat of disease for all mankind.
Geographically, Taiwan is only an ocean away from China, a country that has no qualm about concealing disease outbreaks. Considering the high volume of human and cargo movement across the Strait, and at a time when the international community is gravely concerned about the threat of avian flu while also devoting an all-out effort to address vulnerability in the global disease prevention network, we must be mindful that if Taiwan continues to be excluded from this international health system, once the number of China's avian flu cases spike explosively, Taiwan people's health security will be morbidly threatened. Let us not forget that the consequences of the abovementioned scenario are likely to also impact other nations directly.
Therefore, I would like to urge the international community to support Taiwan's bid to participate in the WHO. I ask that all of you help ensure the health rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan and not yield to China's irrational political interference for it to become the cause of Taiwan's, or even the world's regrettable loss.
Tomorrow in Taipei, Taiwan IHA will co-sponsor the "International Meeting on Avian Flu and Global Health Security," in collaboration with the world-renown public health think tank--Switzerland's "Health Diplomats." We are pleased to see prominent leaders in the fields of medicine and public health in attendance among us.
The hosting of this meeting is particularly urgent and important to Taiwan, given that Taiwan remains excluded from the international health system. I want to hereby extend my profound appreciation to our distinguished international health experts for coming from afar to share with us your valuable opinions and impart your experience. Let us also take this opportunity to wish the meeting great success.
Today's Inaugural Ceremony of Taiwan IHA signifies an important opportunity for Taiwan's humanitarian compassion to infinitely expand to all regions of the world. Through the cooperative platform provided by Taiwan IHA, and with great confidence, determination and devotion, Taiwan will continue to be engaged in various international health cooperation and emergency humanitarian medical relief. Most importantly, we will strive to harness the power to change the world by bringing together those who are ready to take action.
Taiwan IHA is an organization with a grand vision and lofty ideals. It is therefore my earnest hope that individuals or organizations that share the same aspirations can step forward and take part in the efforts to make a worthy contribution to global health.
In closing, let me once again congratulate the "Taiwan International Health Action," and I wish all of you good health and every success. Thank you.