It is increasingly absurd – and even dangerous – that Taiwan continues to be excluded from key international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Interpol, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and, most prominently, the United Nations (UN). This exclusion is not only unjust to the 23mn people who live in Taiwan, and carry Taiwanese passports recognised around the world, but also harmful to the rest of the world.

The argument for Taiwan’s inclusion isn’t about politics, it’s about pragmatism, safety, and the basic values these institutions claim to represent, but every day Taiwan is not included, this demonstrates a complete disregard for their very own founding principles.

Many in Taiwan ask just what these organisations are supposed to represent if they can block millions from their claims to promote peace, health, safety and collaboration across borders.

When international frameworks are used to tackle shared problems such as pandemics, terrorism, or aviation safety they must include representation by all areas of the world – above the level of regional politics. Such profound issues do not and should not stop at borders.

Yet in Taiwan’s case, geopolitics continues to trump logic.

The pandemic that proved a point

The most glaring example of the costs of excluding Taiwan is the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early days of the outbreak, Taiwan’s health authorities identified the potential for human-to-human transmission of the virus before many other countries. In doing so, Taipei implemented swift and effective containment measures, often cited as a model for others to follow.

But Taiwan was not allowed to share its experiences directly through the WHO, nor did it receive timely updates from the organisation. This wasn’t just a loss for Taiwan; it was a loss for the global community.

If the WHO had welcomed Taiwan's insights from the start, many countries might have had access to critical information sooner. Tens of millions who died around the world might have survived.

At the time, the exclusion of Taiwan prevented the nation’s government from sharing findings and expertise on containment measures which in turn became a liability for all. In a world where viruses don’t need visas, the idea of excluding any capable, well-prepared government from a global health body is reckless at best.

Criminals lack respect for politics

Interpol, the world’s premier organisation for facilitating international police cooperation and extraditing criminals on the run also excludes Taiwan, a democratic outpost in the Chinese speaking world of East Asia with a well-trained police force, advanced crime-fighting technology, and a significant role in combating transnational crime in the region. As such, its officers are not allowed to participate in Interpol meetings, nor can they access its real-time criminal databases.

This, in effect, prevents Taiwanese law enforcement officials from trying to stop human trafficking rings – a real and present danger across Asia – or to trace cybercrime operations, by not being able to connect with colleagues across the world through Interpol channels.

Criminals can and do exploit this blind spot, knowing that cross-border coordination with Taiwan is weak or non-existent.

Skies without borders

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is similarly short-sighted; a major danger for a global aviation group charged with setting standards in air travel and coordinating flight paths.

Taiwan is now a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport is one of the busiest in the world, handling tens of millions of passengers annually.

Yet due to its exclusion from ICAO, Taiwan does not have direct access to the latest safety protocols, navigational data or even just global discussions on air traffic coordination procedures. This omission is more than symbolic. Hundreds if not thousands of aircraft pass through Taiwan’s airspace every day, and the ability to share information in real time is critical to global flight safety.

Excluding Taiwan from ICAO endangers not just Taiwanese airspace but international travellers, including citizens from countries that don’t even officially recognise Taiwan.

The United Nations: for all humanity – except Taiwan

And then there is the most glaring exclusion of all: the United Nations. The UN was founded on the principles of peace, sovereignty and the dignity of every individual on earth.

Its charter begins with the stirring phrase: “We the peoples of the United Nations…” And yet somehow, these ‘peoples’ do not include the people of Taiwan despite living in an independent country with a democratically elected government, a robust civil society and a highly developed economy key to global supply chains.

Taiwan contributes to the global good. It provides humanitarian aid, contributes to climate science, sends peacekeepers and is a major donor in international relief efforts. Yet for the United Nations, it simply does not exist.

Taiwanese report being blocked from entering the UN headquarters in New York as their passport is not recognised upon entry.

Of course some argue that Taiwan’s exclusion is necessary to preserve peace with China. But such arguments misunderstand both the nature of peace and the mission of international institutions.

Exclusion creates misunderstanding and vulnerability. Inclusion fosters dialogue, trust and cooperation. The UN should be a platform for discussion, not a reward granted or withheld based on the preferences of powerful nations such as China and fear on the part of those in said organisations of Communist governments half a world away.

Principles matter

Beyond practicalities, there is also the issue of principle. If global organisations such as those mentioned above do truly value democracy, transparency and human rights, why do they turn their backs on a land of 23mn who embody these very concepts.

Taiwan is regularly visited by politicians from the US, European Union, UK and Japan. Holders of the Taiwanese passport can travel visa free or collect a visa on arrival at 129 countries. Just 95 countries offer this same respect to China across the Taiwan Strait, yet it is China calling the shots at the UN, Interpol and others in terms of recognition of Taiwan.

Taiwan has earned its place in the world not by appealing to sentiment, but by showing responsibility, competence, and goodwill. The continued effort to isolate Taiwan is not just undemocratic, it is hypocritical.

Inclusion is not a concession; it is common sense.