Taiwan rejects China's requests for WHO participation

Taiwan on Friday rejected China's condition for the island to participate in the World Health Organization, that Taiwan accepts that it be part of China.

The country has been largely excluded from any collaboration with the WHO due to pressure from China, which refuses to recognize the sovereignty of the island and insists on the right to represent Taiwan on the international scene. China says Taiwan can only participate under the principle of one China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the ruling Democratic Democratic Party in Taiwan had refused to do so, and that the political basis for Taiwan's participation in WHO had "ceased to exist" .

Last month, WHO announced that its decision-making body, the World Health Assembly, will meet virtually from May 18. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs complained earlier that the government had not yet received an invitation so that a delegation could attend as an observer and share the experience of the isl and in the fight against the coronavirus.

Taiwanese Minister of Health Chen Shih-chung said it was not possible for Taiwan to accept her being part of China: "I have no way of Accept something that does not exist, "said Chen, adding that Taiwan would not give up its efforts to attend health. Assembly.

Taiwan attended the assembly as an observer from 2009 to 2016 when relations between Taipei and Beijing warmed, but China blocked all further participation after the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing -wen. China views Tsai as a separatist, accusations which it firmly denies.

“We can represent our own people. We hope that WHO can put aside political considerations and be neutral and professional, "said Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh.