Once again giving in to Chinese lobbying, WHO did not allow Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) which kicked off Monday.
In 2008, Taiwan was granted observer status but intense lobbying from China ensured it was dropped in 2016.
Taiwan was praised globally for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic but its absence from the WHA shocked many.
China has been saying it would allow Taiwan to take part only after it accepts that it is part of ‘One China.
Taiwan has been continuously asserting its sovereignty and doesn’t accept the ‘One China policy’.
The WHO and its director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was much criticised earlier for their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and allegedly helping China in hiding information about the pandemic.
Reuters quoted Taiwan’s Health Minister Chen Shih-chung “As a professional international health body, the World Health Organization should serve the health and welfare of all humanity and not capitulate to the political interests of a certain member.”
