Focus Taiwan
Date: 05/18/2020
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, May 18 (CNA) Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) has expressed dissatisfaction that Taiwan was not invited to attend the virtual World Health Assembly (WHA) that began Monday despite significant support worldwide.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses deep regret and strong dissatisfaction that the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat has yielded to pressure from the Chinese government and continues to disregard the right to health of the 23 million people of Taiwan," Wu said at a press conference.

Fourteen of Taiwan's diplomatic allies submitted a proposal for the issue of Taiwan's exclusion to be put on the WHA agenda, but it is unlikely the issue will be discussed because the agenda has been significantly shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wu said.

Taiwan will wait until later in the year when meetings are expected to be conducted normally to promote its bid, following suggestions from its allies and like-minded nations, Wu said.    [FULL  STORY]