China says political foundation for Taiwan's participation in World Health Assembly no longer exists
'Without approval of central government, there is no basis, reason, or right for the island of Taiwan to participate in WHA,' says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
ISTANBUL
China on Thursday said the political foundation that would allow Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), no longer exists.
Due to Taiwan authorities' "adherence to a separatist 'Taiwan independence' stance, the political foundation for the Taiwan region’s participation in the WHA no longer exists," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in a news conference in Beijing, according to the state-run Global Times.
"Without the approval of the central government, there is no basis, reason, or right for the island of Taiwan to participate in the WHA," said Lin.
"In order to uphold the one-China principle and defend the seriousness and authority of relevant resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations and the WHA, Chinese side has decided not to approve the Taiwan region’s attendance at this year’s WHA," added Lin.
Taiwan, not a member of the UN, has not received an invitation to the WHA’s 78th annual assembly scheduled for May 19-27 in Geneva.
China considers Taiwan its breakaway province, but Taipei insists on its independence.
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