Members of the Western Australian Taiwanese community gathered at Matilda Bay Reserve on Saturday, May 18, for a “Walk With Taiwan” event to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the upcoming 78th World Health Assembly (WHA).
Organized by the Western Australia Taiwan Hakka Association, the event drew nearly 80 participants who carried banners proclaiming “Taiwan Can Help” and wore hats bearing the slogan “Chip in with Taiwan, Taiwan Health for All.” The 5.5-kilometer walk was a meaningful gesture of support for Taiwan’s efforts to participate in the global public health system, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity in international health initiatives.
Mr. Boris Chang, Council Member of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, attended the event and praised the strong support from the local Taiwanese community. He emphasized that initiatives like this not only strengthen unity among overseas Taiwanese but also help raise awareness within the broader Australian public about Taiwan's significant contributions to global health.
"We are walking along the scenic riverside, a route that offers high public visibility, to show the world that Taiwan is a democratic, free, law-abiding nation that respects human rights — a like-minded partner of Australia,” stated Chang. He further urged the international community to recognize the political barriers that prevent Taiwan from participating in the WHA, emphasizing that the overseas Taiwanese community has a duty to raise awareness in Australian society about the injustice of Taiwan’s exclusion from the global health system.
The walk was energized by enthusiastic cheering squads stationed at the start and finish lines, leading chants of “Taiwan Can Help” to foster unity and uplift morale. Participants ranged from families with young children to individuals who had made long journeys to attend — including one attendee who drove 1.5 hours from the south to join the event. Among them was an elderly woman visiting from Taiwan, who shared that her motivation came from a deep concern for Taiwan’s role in global medical aid. She remarked, “When we walk and act together, we send a powerful message to the world — that regardless of nationality or race, we are one community. More Australians need to understand why Taiwan deserves a place in the World Health Assembly (WHA).”
The event also drew support from prominent leaders in the Taiwanese community, including Mr. Ken Lee, President of the Taiwanese Association of Western Australia, and Mr. Calvin Chow, Chairperson of the Perth Taiwanese Assistance Association.
