First, China gives us a new strain of Chinese Flu (popularly named SARS as to not offend the Chinese). Then, China covers it up and allows it to be exported through Hong Kong to many countries throughout the world, including Viet Nam, Singapore, Canada, and yes, Taiwan.
After the cover-up of China, Taiwan was initially able to contain the disease. However, a traveller from Hong Kong, fleeing his apartment in Hong Kong, came to Taiwan and spread the disease here. We then had an outbreak at the Hoping Hospital in Taipei. From there, it spread through the island, killing 84 and affecting our lives for more than two months. Did this have to happen? Perhaps not.
During the beginning of the outbreak on Taiwan, the Taiwanese government requested help from the World Health Organization (WHO). Due to Beijing's intervention, WHO experts were not sent to Taiwan, nor were Taiwanese health authorities included in real-time briefings conducted by the WHO to share information on the virus, including effective containment techniques. Had these techniques been shared with Taiwan's health authorties, it is possible that the outbreak would have been contained then and there. However, due to Beijing's heartless intervention, we shall never know.
It wasn't until SEVEN WEEKS after the outbreak at the Ho Ping Hospital that the WHO sent their experts to Taiwan, and even then they were not permitted to consult with Taiwan's health care officials. How they can provide effective, coordinated assistance if they are not allowed to have contact with Taiwan's government officials?! Amazingly, while the WHO praised China's efforts incontaining SARS, they criticized Taiwan. Of course, people in Taiwan had to wonder, if we are going it wrong, why don't you help us out like you helped Singapore, Hong Kong, Viet Nam, and China?
During the height of the SARS crisis, Taiwan made an effort to join the WHO as an observer under the title of a health entity. The Chinese argued that there is no possibility for a non-state to be associated with the WHO. Well, disregarding the fact that Taiwan is a state, this is patently untrue. Is the Palestinian Authority a state? No, it isn't. Is the International Committee of the Red Cross a state? Of course it isn't. Is the Order of the Knights of Malta a state? Certainly not. However, all have observer status at the WHO. Why not Taiwan, a government and health care system responsible for the care of 23 million men, women, and children; Taiwanese and foreigners. There is no logical reason for Taiwan's exclusion.
Even more infuriating for the people of Taiwan was the reaction of China's representatives to the WHO. China's health minister Wu Yi told a Taiwanese journalist "Didn't you here, nobody cares about you." Needless to say, this quote made the evening news on EVERY television news program in Taiwan. Her counterpart added, "didn't you hear, you have been rejected." It is this type of arrogance of the bullies in Beijing that the peace-loving Taiwanese have long had to deal with.
This series of events should serve notice to the entire world. Beijing doesn't care about people, they care about power. All of the people of the free world should take note to how they treat the free people of Taiwan.
Beijing's Actions Belie its Remarks A Taipei Times editorial An article discussing the long term impact of Taiwan-China relations