BEIJING, China (Reuters) – It is justified for the World Health Organization (WHO) to not invite Taiwan to the ongoing 70th World Health Assembly (WHA), said a spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing on Thursday.
An Fengshan made the remarks at a routine press briefing when asked about WHO’s exclusion of Taiwan from the WHA.
“The international community recognizes the one-China principle universally. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2758 and the World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 both embody this principle. So the authority of the one-China principle is beyond doubt for sure,” he said.
“As a specialized agency of UN, the World Health Organization is more than justified to follow this principle in its dealing with issues related to Taiwan. We hope that WHA will not be interfered otherwise,” said the spokesperson.
Taiwan had participated in the WHA since 2009 with an observer status named “Chinese Taipei.”
This special arrangement was made through cross-Strait consultations.
Taiwan’s current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration was responsible for the island’s absence from the WHA this year, said An Fengshan at a press briefing held in Beijing on May 10.