Japan Forward
Date: January 27, 2020
By: Editorial Board, Sankei Shimbun

(Click here to read this article in Japanese.)

Beijing interference Taiwan, china, Chinese Investment, coronavirus, Ethiopa, infectious diseases, japan, novel coronavirus, One China, SARS epidemic, taiwan, Taiwan's WHO membership, Tedros Adhanom, Tsai Ing-wen, United States, WHO, WHO constitution, WHO Director-General, WHO experts committee, Wuhan, Xi Jinping, Director General of the World Health Organization, WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

On January 22, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen reiterated her call for Taiwan to be recognized as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO). That followed the confirmation of a case of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.

As things stand, the WHO leadership continues to adhere to its warped arrangement, designed to kowtow to Beijing and its “one China” principle, by excluding participation by Taiwan. Now, however, with the world facing an extraordinary public health challenge with lives in the balance, it is intolerable that Taiwan should be a blank space on the global health map.

In light of China’s responsibility to prevent the spread of this serious public health threat, Beijing must desist from its needless interference, and WHO should immediately welcome Taiwan’s participation in its activities.    [FULL  STORY]