EU-Taiwan cooperation on combatting the pandemic

Question for written answer  E-001437/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Roman Haider (ID), Georg Mayer (ID)

Despite geographical proximity to and close links with the People’s Republic of China, where the coronavirus originated, fewer than 1000 people have been infected in Taiwan (Republic of China), and only seven have died, out of a population of about 23 million (as of January 2021[1]). In contrast to what has been a disastrous policy in the EU, then, Taiwan is virtually unequalled, anywhere in the world, in bringing the epidemic under control. That fact alone demonstrates that the EU can clearly learn a great deal from Taiwan as far as combating the pandemic is concerned.

• 1.When did the EU first establish official contact with Taiwan in order to learn about its successful disease control strategy?
• 2.What form does regular, official contact between the EU and Taiwan take with a view to exchanging information and knowledge?
• 3.In what way will the EU campaign for the inclusion of Taiwan in WHO structures as an example of best practice?

• [1] https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/politik/welt/2088776-Wir-haben-unsere-Sars-Lektion-gelernt.html