自一九九七年以來，台北發揮以小搏大的精神，努力成為世界衛生大會之觀察員。經過SARS 的衝擊，國際社會深深體會到防疫不應有漏洞，美國開始採積極行動，扮演「促成者」的角色。二○○五年世界衛生大會在「國際衛生條例」修訂條文中加入「普世適用」的文字，為我參與世界衛生大會提供法律基礎。馬英九總統上任以來，兩岸關係改善，二○○九年四月及二○一○年三月，世界衛生組織兩度邀請我國以觀察員身分出席世界衛生大會。本文分析美、台、中在此議題多年來策略的轉變與互動經過。

In April 2009, Taiwan received an invitation from the World Health Organization (WHO) to attend the 62nd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva as an observer under the name of “Chinese Taipei.” The invitation was widely seen as a result of improving relations across the Taiwan Strait in the wake of President Ma Ying-jeou taking office in May 2008. This outcome, however, had much deeper roots and involved other countries, principally the United States, as well as interactions between China and previous governments in Taiwan. This study examines the background of Taiwan’s inclusion as an observer in the annual WHA, reviews the “facilitator” role of the United States, discusses support from other countries, and finally considers PRC posturing with regards to the participation of Taiwan in the WHO.