WHO says it has 'no mandate' to invite Taiwan to assembly meeting
12 May, 2020
The World Health Organization's director general has "no mandate" to invite Taiwan to take part in its assembly next week, the body's legal professional said on Monday (May 11), adding member states had "divergent views" on the self-ruled island's participation.
WHO principal legal officer Steven Solomon told and online news briefing that only member states could decide who attends the World Health Assembly (WHA).
Taiwan is excluded from the WHO as a result of objections of China, which views the island as you of its provinces. Taiwan says it has created a dangerous gap in the COVID-19 fight, and has accused the WHO of bending to Chinese pressure.
Taiwan, with the strong support of america, has stepped up its lobbying to be permitted to take part as an observer at next week's meeting of the WHO's decision-making body, to China's anger.
China berated New Zealand on Monday for its support for Taiwan's participation at the WHO, saying the united states should "stop making wrong statements" on the problem to avoid damaging bilateral ties.
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