Q: It is known that Marshall Islands has demanded recently that Taiwan be invited to participate in this year?s World Health Assembly (WHA) as observer. What is your comment?

A：The World Health Organization (WHO) is a special UN agency to which statehood is required. Taiwan, as one of China?s provinces, is not entitled to join the WHO or participate in the WHA as observer. To table Taiwan-related motion in the WHA has no legal grounds and violates the principles and purposes of the WHA. The Chinese Government is strongly opposed to it.  

The Central Government of China is very concerned with the well being of all the Chinese people including Taiwan compatriots. It has actively promoted exchange and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits in the health field and shared SARS-related information with relevant institutions in Taiwan to fight SARS together. The Taiwan question touches upon China?s sovereignty and territorial integrity and we are opposed to any move to politicize the health question.

The WHA has rejected, for six consecutive years, the Taiwan-related motions, which reflects the position of most member countries of the WHO to uphold justice. The Taiwan-related motion tabled by individual country this year in the WHA is doomed to failure once again.