The largest ever virtual meeting of global leaders had China at the heart of discussions

The lede
Date: May 20, 2020
By: TP Sreenivasan

China fought on two fronts at the just concluded virtual World Health Assembly (18-19 May 2020) in Geneva in its first open bid to dominate the post-Corona world.

On the one hand, it wanted to be considered a victor in the battle against the pandemic and as the country, which is capable and willing to assist the rest of the world without any investigation into Chinese culpability in hiding the advent of the Coronavirus, if not creating it.

On the other hand, China wanted to reinforce its “One China” position when it found that Taiwan’s claim to an observer status in the WHA was gaining traction in the wake of Taiwan’s extraordinary success in tackling the virus.

When it became clear that it cannot win on two fronts, China retreated from the first front and claimed victory on the second.    [FULL  STORY]