Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations, particularly those focused on technical or functional cooperation like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is widely seen as a crucial first step toward broader de facto recognition and an incremental way to push back against its international isolation.

Here's why and how:

Why "Functional Participation" Matters:

1. Practical Necessity:

   • Public Health (WHO): Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO and its related bodies (like the World Health Assembly, WHA) creates dangerous gaps in global health security. Taiwan's excellent COVID-19 response and its geographical location as a major travel hub highlight the absurdity and danger of its exclusion. Its participation is a matter of global public health, not politics.

   • Aviation Safety (ICAO): The Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR) is a vital part of the global air traffic network. Taiwan's exclusion from ICAO means it doesn't have direct access to real-time information, safety standards, and operational updates, creating potential safety risks for international aviation.

   • Other Technical Bodies: Similar arguments apply to organizations dealing with meteorology, maritime safety, law enforcement (Interpol), and climate change. Taiwan's exclusion from these bodies makes global cooperation less effective and less safe.

2. Bolstering De Facto Sovereignty:

   • While not formal diplomatic recognition (which implies statehood), meaningful participation in these organizations strengthens Taiwan's practical international presence and functional sovereignty. It demonstrates that Taiwan operates as a distinct, capable entity on the global stage, contributing to international well-being.

   • It reinforces the idea that Taiwan is a responsible stakeholder capable of contributing to global challenges, thereby eroding the narrative that it is merely a "local authority" of the PRC.

3. Increased Visibility and Soft Power:

   • Participation provides Taiwan with a platform to be seen and heard globally. Taiwanese delegates can interact with international counterparts, share their expertise, and present Taiwan's democratic values.

   • It helps humanize Taiwan, showcasing its professionals and capabilities to a broader international audience, fostering goodwill and challenging Beijing's often dehumanizing portrayal.

4. Challenging China's "One China Principle" Narrative:

   • China leverages UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (which recognized the PRC as China's sole legitimate representative) to block Taiwan's participation in almost all UN-affiliated bodies. However, many countries argue that Resolution 2758 only addressed China's UN seat and did not make a determination on Taiwan's sovereignty or its ability to participate in non-state-based international organizations.

   • Pushing for Taiwan's inclusion, even as an observer under an alternative name (like "Chinese Taipei" or through a special arrangement), is a way to challenge China's maximalist interpretation and assert Taiwan's distinct identity.

5. Building a Coalition of Support:

   • Advocating for Taiwan's inclusion in specific organizations provides a concrete, actionable step for friendly nations. It allows them to demonstrate support without crossing Beijing's "red line" of formal diplomatic recognition.

   • The repeated calls from the US, G7, EU, and other like-minded democracies for Taiwan's "meaningful participation" in the WHO and ICAO are examples of this coordinated diplomatic pressure.

Is it a "First Step" to Broader Recognition?

Yes, in a strategic, incremental sense.

• De Facto Over De Jure: It focuses on de facto recognition (acknowledging Taiwan's functional reality and capacity) rather than de jure recognition (formal state-to-state diplomatic ties). This is a more achievable goal in the current geopolitical climate.

• Building a Foundation: Each instance of successful inclusion, even if limited, chips away at Taiwan's international isolation and strengthens its case for broader legitimacy. It familiarizes the international community with Taiwan as an independent actor.

• Shifting Norms: Over time, consistent functional participation can help shift international norms, making Taiwan's exclusion seem increasingly anachronistic and illogical, especially in areas vital to global well-being.

• Raising the Cost for China: Each time China blocks Taiwan's participation in a critical organization, it highlights Beijing's prioritizing political control over global public good, potentially drawing more international criticism and reinforcing the need for Taiwan's inclusion.

However, it's crucial to understand that inclusion in functional international organizations is not a direct pathway to widespread formal diplomatic recognition or UN membership. China's veto power in the UN Security Council and its significant influence over many international bodies means that formal recognition remains an extremely high bar.

Instead, functional participation is a vital and pragmatic strategy to:

1. Ensure global safety and efficiency in areas where Taiwan plays a crucial role.

2. Enhance Taiwan's international standing and demonstrate its democratic vitality.

3. Gradually challenge Beijing's efforts to completely erase Taiwan from the international stage.