Taiwan cannot attend World Health Assembly, central govt says

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that in order to uphold the one-China principle and defend the sanctity and authority of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, China has decided not to agree to the Taiwan region's participation in this year's WHA, to be held on May 18.

Without the consent of the central government, the Taiwan region has no basis, reason, or right to participate in the WHA, Guo told a daily news briefing.

The stubborn insistence on the "Taiwan independence" separatist stance by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan has led to the complete loss of the political foundation for the region's participation in the assembly, he added.

He warned that any attempt to use the "Taiwan card" for political manipulation in violation of the one-China principle is destined to fail.

He reaffirmed that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China.

Regarding the participation of China's Taiwan region in international organizations, including WHO activities, China's position is consistent and clear: it must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle, he added.