Under the Roof of One China
Encyclopedia
Under the Roof of One China is a political principle introduced by James Soong
in regards to the relationship between Taiwan
and the World Health Organization
.
In 2003, during the 2004 Republic of China presidential election campaign, both Mainland China
and Taiwan
had an epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) at the same time. Taiwan, being one of the most endemic areas, did not receive advice from the World Health Organization
(WHO) because the People's Republic of China
represents the 23 million people of Taiwan in WHO and forbids the Taiwan government's participation in WHO. Taiwan claims that the lack of direct communication precluded proper handling of the disease and caused unnecessary deaths on the island.
In May 2003, James Soong
, the Vice Presidential
candidate under Lien Chan
, criticized the ruling party for not being able to participate in WHO and thus receiving no international assistance on controlling the spread of SARS. Soong proposed that once elected, he would not challenge the One-China
principle set by the People's Republic of China but at the same time would seek international participation in different international organizations. He named this cross-strait policy "Under the Roof of One China". Soong believed that with this principle, he would be able to lead Taiwan to obtain a seat in WHO. Political opponents questioned how he could guard the sovereignty of Taiwan and accept Taiwan as a part of China at the same time. The principle was subsequently abandoned by him and his running mate in the 2004 presidential election.
James Soong
James Soong Chu-yu , is a politician in the Republic of China on Taiwan. He founded and chairs the People First Party, a smaller and more conservative party in the Kuomintang -led Pan-Blue Coalition....
in regards to the relationship between Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
.
In 2003, during the 2004 Republic of China presidential election campaign, both Mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
had an epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory disease in humans which is caused by the SARS coronavirus . Between November 2002 and July 2003 an outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide according to the WHO...
(SARS) at the same time. Taiwan, being one of the most endemic areas, did not receive advice from the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
(WHO) because the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
represents the 23 million people of Taiwan in WHO and forbids the Taiwan government's participation in WHO. Taiwan claims that the lack of direct communication precluded proper handling of the disease and caused unnecessary deaths on the island.
In May 2003, James Soong
James Soong
James Soong Chu-yu , is a politician in the Republic of China on Taiwan. He founded and chairs the People First Party, a smaller and more conservative party in the Kuomintang -led Pan-Blue Coalition....
, the Vice Presidential
Vice President of the Republic of China
The Vice President of the Republic of China is the second-highest executive official of the Republic of China . The existing office was created in 1948 under the 1947 Constitution of the Republic of China...
candidate under Lien Chan
Lien Chan
Lien Chan is a politician in Taiwan. He was Premier of the Republic of China from 1993 to 1997, Vice President of the Republic of China from 1996 to 2000, and was the Chairman of the Kuomintang from 2000 to 2005...
, criticized the ruling party for not being able to participate in WHO and thus receiving no international assistance on controlling the spread of SARS. Soong proposed that once elected, he would not challenge the One-China
One-China policy
The One-China policy refers to the policy or view that there is only one state called "China", despite the existence of two governments that claim to be "China"....
principle set by the People's Republic of China but at the same time would seek international participation in different international organizations. He named this cross-strait policy "Under the Roof of One China". Soong believed that with this principle, he would be able to lead Taiwan to obtain a seat in WHO. Political opponents questioned how he could guard the sovereignty of Taiwan and accept Taiwan as a part of China at the same time. The principle was subsequently abandoned by him and his running mate in the 2004 presidential election.