While the United States and others support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization's annual meeting, Taiwanese officials have regretted and dissatisfied that they have not been invited to the general meeting to be held later this month. I have stated.
WHO's annual meeting will begin on the 22nd of this month and will be held face-to-face for the first time since the spread of the new coronavirus.
Taiwan participated in the annual meeting as an observer from 2009 to 2016, but after 2017 it was no longer invited due to opposition from China and others, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken strongly urged Taiwan to be invited on the 18th. There are voices from each country supporting Taiwan's participation, such as issuing a statement saying "I will insist."
Under these circumstances, Taiwanese foreign ministry spokesman Joanne Ou revealed at a press conference on the 19th that the invitation to this year's general meeting had not yet arrived.
"WHO does not adhere to the principles of neutrality and professionalism," he said, "not responding to the strong support of the international community for Taiwan and not allowing us to attend the General Assembly," he said with regret and dissatisfaction. Was announced.