The foreign ministry says Taiwan’s bid to join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has received support from its allies and G7 foreign ministers. That’s the word from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Joanne Ou on Tuesday.

In a joint communique issued in April, G7 foreign ministers urged the ICAO to include all aviation authorities in its membership. Ou said this sign of support was an unprecedented move.

Taiwan has been barred from attending ICAO because of pressure from China. But Ou said Taiwan plays a crucial role in aviation safety in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.

“The ICAO shouldn’t be manipulated by any single member country. It should insist on its neutrality and professionalism and find an appropriate way to accept Taiwan as soon as possible on the basis of aviation safety and international passengers’ rights. Only [by doing so] will it be able to guarantee that the global aviation security system does not have any loopholes," said Ou. 

Ou said several allies have already voiced their support, including Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Christopher, Saint Vincent, eSwatini and Tuvalu.

The ICAO is set to hold its 40th triennial assembly at its headquarters in Montreal, Canada from September 24 to October 4. A Taiwanese delegation has already arrived in Montreal to push its bid.