According to the consensus reached by the World Health Organization Executive Board, this year's World Health Assembly (WHA) covers only the essential items of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
This reflects the will of member states to focus on international cooperation.
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Residents of China's Wuhan Province enjoy an evening of dancing while wearing masks against coronavirus
(Photo: AFP)
Moreover, the WHA has for many consecutive years rejected a handful countries' proposals relating to the Taiwan region, demonstrating the joint international commitment to the one-China principle.
The Chinese Embassy would like to further elaborate on the position of the Chinese government on this issue.
I. Taiwan is not a country but an inalienable part of China's territory. There is but one China in the world and the Central Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. This is a widely accepted consensus and an established principle of the international community, including the State of Israel.
The World Health Organization, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, is restricted to only sovereign states, and Taiwan has no right to join it as a part of China.
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WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
(Photo: Reuters)
Any questions about Taiwan's participation in international organizations must be arranged under the one-China principle.
II. Regarding the Taiwan region, there are no gaps or obstacles in global anti-epidemic efforts and technical cooperation. In fact, no one cares more about the health and well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan than China's Central Government. We have made proper arrangements for Taiwan's participation in global health affairs following the one-China principle.
Under the International Health Regulations’ Reporting Window, the health organizations of the Taiwan region can obtain and update information on public health events freely.
Health experts of Taiwan region have been participating in the WHO meetings. These arrangements ensure Taiwan region can cope with any public health emergencies in a timely and effective manner.
For example, in January, the Central Government hosted Taiwan experts travelling to Wuhan to observe epidemic containment efforts on the ground.
As of May 15, the Central Government has sent 152 notifications on COVID-19 to the Taiwan region. Since 2019, under the one-China principle, 24 Taiwan experts in 16 groups have participated in WHO technical activities.
III. The reason why Taiwan authority and its Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) raise the question of the participation in WHA is not because of the health needs of Taiwan people or the welfare of the international community.
Their agenda is to encroach on China’s sovereignty and separate China. Such tricks with deceptions will only derail international cooperation, and have been widely objected by the international community.
In conclusion, China will continue to make appropriate arrangements for the Taiwan region to participate in the global health cooperation as a part of China, but we will never allow the DPP to take this opportunity to advance "Taiwan independence."
The writer is the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Israel