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1st Ld-Writethru: DPP administration fully responsible for Taiwan's absence from WHA

Xinhua, May 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Taiwan's current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration was fully responsible for the island's absence from the World Health Assembly (WHA) this year, a spokesperson from the Chinese mainland reiterated Wednesday.

"The DPP administration refuses to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle. Thus, the prerequisite and basis for its participation in the assembly no longer exists," said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Giving the fact that the island had participated in the meeting for the previous eight years, he said that the DPP administration should reflect on why it was excluded from the gathering this year.

The DPP administration should not pass the buck, shift the focus and cheat the Taiwan people, An said.

It is reasonable for the World Health Organization, as a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), to deal with Taiwan in accordance with the one-China principle, which is reflected in UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1, he said.

There is a smooth path for Taiwan to participate in professional and technical activities held by the WHO, the spokesperson said, adding that the way for the island to obtain epidemic prevention information and report information to WHO is also clear and effective.

Experts from Taiwan can participate in WHO-related technical meetings and activities, while WHO may also send experts to the island when needed, An said.

In this regard, An emphasized that there is a clear difference between the interests of Taiwan public in the health sector and the island's participation in the meeting.

Taiwan had been participating in the WHA since 2009 with observer status as "Chinese Taipei."

An reiterated that the mainland's stance toward Taiwan's participation in activities held by international organizations remains clear and consistent. Its participation must be arranged through cross-Strait consultations based on the one-China principle.

He urged the DPP administration to return to the common political foundation of the 1992 Consensus as soon as possible.

"Only by doing this can cross-Strait institutional exchanges be continued and then both sides will be able to engage in consultations on Taiwan's participation in activities held by international organizations," he said. Endi