The Mainichi
Date: January 30, 2020

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, speaks at parliament on Jan. 30, 2020. (Kyodo)

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization is necessary to effectively fight the spread of a new coronavirus.

"It will be difficult to maintain health and prevent further infections in this region if (Taiwan) is excluded for political reasons," Abe said during a parliamentary session. "We will continue to make our country's stance clear at the WHO."

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province to be brought under its control, by force if necessary, and objects to the self-governing island's participation in the WHO and other international organizations as a different entity.

Abe made the remarks after an opposition party lawmaker said Taiwan was not allowed to participate in an emergency WHO meeting on the outbreak of the deadly virus in Geneva on Jan. 22.
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