Mr. Peter C. Y. Chen, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston, joined by Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Al Green  and Texas State Representative Hubert Vo, announced on April 13 Taiwan’s donation of to support frontline medical personnel. Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs gave some remarks by video praising the friendship and support from Taiwan on behalf of Texas.

Taiwan’s response to containing COVID-19 has been widely recognized by the international community and has actively bolstered cooperation between Taiwan and other countries to overcome this challenge. In light of the desperate demand for medical supplies worldwide, President Tsai Ing-wen announced on April 1 that Taiwan will donate 10 million face masks to support medical workers in countries where the COVID-19 outbreak is particularly severe. “Pandemics cannot be stopped by one country alone, and Taiwan stands ready to do our part.” said President Tsai.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) followed to announce the donation of 2 million face masks to the United States. Today’s donation of 100,000 masks to Texas is part of the 2 million distributed to the U.S. to strengthen protection for frontline responders.

Under the Taiwan-U.S. epidemic prevention cooperation framework, Taiwan will continue to provide the United States with 100,000 urgently needed face masks per week.

Undertaken in the spirit of “Taiwan can help!” and accompanied by a call for greater international cooperation, this constitutes Taiwan’s large-scale humanitarian assistance initiative in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

At the launch of the Taiwan-U.S. Partnership against Coronavirus on March 18, President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted: “Taiwan and the U.S. are expanding our cooperation to jointly develop tests, treatments, vaccines and more to better combat COVID-19. Our countries are not only partners in prosperity—we are partners through adversity and partners with integrity.”

For years, Taiwan has been excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO). The United States continues to show staunch support of expanding Taiwan’s international participation so Taiwan can expand and enhance its global contributions.

Director-General Chen said in his remarks: “In the battle against COVID-19, Taiwan stands with our friends and allies. WHO should invite Taiwan to fully participate in all WHO meetings and mechanisms regarding the fight against COVID-19, and restore Taiwan’s observer status in the World Health Assembly, for the good of international public health and well-being of the world.”

Director-General Chen concluded with: “We’ve said that "Taiwan can help" global health efforts, and this is one way that “Taiwan is helping”."

Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs thanked President Tsai and Foreign Minister Wu on behalf of Governor Abbot and the Lone Star State for the donation, saying: “Your openness and generosity help to serve as a model for all. This is just another example of how together, with our global partners we will emerge victorious in this fight against COVID-19.”

Disease knows no borders. Taiwan sets the model on the frontline to combat COVID-19. “Taiwan can help!” is not just a slogan; Taiwan is taking concrete actions to prove to the international community that the world needs Taiwan and that Taiwan will not be absent.