OPINION:
Interpol is the world’s largest international police organization, with the role to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. The 86th Interpol General Assembly will be held Sept. 26-29, 2017, in Beijing. Police chiefs and other senior law- enforcement officials from around the world will gather at the event to discuss a range of policing and security issues, including foreign terrorist fighters, border security, cybercrime, drug trafficking, corruption and asset recovery. However, most members of 115th Congress don’t realize that among the 190-plus member nations of the Interpol, Taiwan is absent, despite the fact that the island is a net contributor to international law enforcement.
The increasing threat of terrorist attacks requires a more efficient system of sharing information within a network of countries. The continuous exclusion of Taiwan from Interpol runs counter to the global efforts to combat terrorism. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is ready, willing and able to play a vital part in the global initiative to thwart acts of terrorism and crime against humanity.
The United States must support Taiwan’s participation in Interpol so that Taiwan can both contribute to and benefit from what would be a more comprehensive fight against international criminals across the globe. It’s time Taiwan be allowed to join the Interpol.
KENT WANG
Advisory Commissioner
Overseas Community Affairs Council of Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United States
Potomac Falls, Va.
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