Taiwan denied observer status at WHO Assembly

This was the fourth straight year when the island nation was denied observer status as China has used it's clout to bar Taiwan from getting membership of the WHO.

Taiwan is one of those countries that was most successful in controlling the novel coronavirus which originated in Wuhan province of China and spread across the world. Many countries such as the United States have advocated that Taiwan be included in the WHO health assembly.

The assembly meeting followed the recommendation of its General Committee not to allow Taiwan to join as an observer.

The WHO has on occasions stated that it lacked the mandate to invite Taiwan, given the disagreement among members over the island's participation in the organization.

Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang on Tuesday accused China of "obstructing Taiwan's participation based on a political factor."

Kyodo news agency quoted Su stressing that Taiwan's successful effort in containing the spread of the virus and said the Chinese opposition represents an "attack" not just on Taiwan but also on the world.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry also conveyed his regret that saying that the WHO is "continuing to neglect the health and human rights of Taiwan's 23.5 million people."

At Monday's meeting, the Chinese delegate said the issue of "Taiwan region participation must follow the one-China principle."

Taiwan left the United Nations after China joined the world body in 1971. It lost its WHO membership the following year.

Even though the island held observer status at the WHO assembly from 2009 to 2016 as "Chinese Taipei," it has been excluded since 2017 following the election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has been vocal in her opposition to Chinese expansionism.