Taiwan Says China Is "Maliciously" Blocking It From WHO

The United States and the rich-nation Group of Seven have called for Chinese-claimed but democratically ruled Taiwan to attend the WHO's decision-making body, the World Health Assembly, which meets from May 24.

Taiwan accused China on Tuesday of "maliciously" blocking its access to the World Health Organization (WHO) and putting politics above people's well-being, after Beijing signalled it would not allow the island to attend a major WHO meeting. The United States and the rich-nation Group of Seven (G7) have called for Chinese-claimed but democratically ruled Taiwan to attend the WHO's decision-making body, the World Health Assembly, which meets from May 24. China's foreign ministry said on Monday the island had to accept it was part of China if it wanted access to global bodies, something Taipei's government will not do, and that "appropriate arrangements" have been made for Taiwan's participation in global health matters. Taiwan's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Joanne Ou, said China was lying and seeking to mislead the international community.