Hyping Taiwan-related proposal in WHA unpopular: spokesperson

BEIJING, May 19 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday commended the World Health Assembly (WHA) decision not to include a proposal to make China's island province Taiwan an observer in the virtual conference's agenda.

China highly appreciates the decision, which safeguards the dignity of the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the WHA, and upholds the one-China principle and justice, spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a routine news briefing.

In the face of the continuous spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, member states of the WHO wish to focus on global cooperation at this WHA, Zhao said.

However, Taiwan's DPP authorities and a handful of countries insisted on discussing the proposal even at the expense of disturbing the conference's agenda and undermining international anti-pandemic cooperation, exposing the fact that "they place selfish political gains above the global public health security."

Zhao said the reality demonstrated again that there is no way out for the Taiwan authorities to pursue "Taiwan independence" and hyping Taiwan-related proposal in WHA is unpopular.

The Chinese Central Government always attaches great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, Zhao said, adding that after the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease, Taiwan experts were the first group of experts outside Chinese mainland invited to visit Wuhan. The Chinese mainland has sent 152 notifications on COVID-19 to the Taiwan region as of May 15.

"Since 2019, under the one-China principle, altogether 24 Taiwan experts in 16 groups have participated in WHO technical activities," Zhao said, noting there is an International Health Regulations Contact Point in the Taiwan region, so it can obtain timely information on global public health emergencies released by the WHO and report its information, which ensures that the region can deal with local or global public health emergencies in a timely and effective manner.

Zhao pointed out that Taiwan DPP authorities' claim of a "gap" in global anti-epidemic efforts is only an excuse for seeking "independence", and the international community has seen through.

"We advise the DPP authorities to recognize the reality and do not go further on the road of seeking 'independence'," Zhao said, also urging some countries not to misjudge China's determination and ability to defend its core interests and national unity, and stop challenging the "one China" principle.