No Invitation For WHO Meeting Yet, Says Taiwan

Taiwan has "not yet" received an invitation to a meeting this month of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) decision-making body, the World Health Assembly, but will strive take part, the government said on Monday.

The United States has supported Taiwan's participation at the assembly as an observer, adding to tension with the mainland over its handling of the new coronavirus.

Taiwan attended the assembly as an observer from 2009-2016 when Taipei-Beijing relations warmed, but the mainland blocked further participation after the election of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who Beijing views as a separatist. She rejects that.

The WHO said last week the assembly will take place virtually from May 18.

Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said the government had "not yet received an invitation from WHO" and was "still awaiting" it so a delegation could attend as an observer and share the island's experience in fighting the outbreak.

Taiwan has reported far fewer cases of the new coronavirus than many of its neighbours, due to early and effective detection and prevention work.

"Although the current situation we are facing is still very difficult, the government will never give up, and will join with allies and countries with similar ideals to continue to strive until the last moment," Ou said, referring to efforts to take part in the meeting.

The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The government and diplomatic sources have said Taiwan's chances of taking part are very slim because of the mainland's position.

The health ministers of Taiwan and the United States discussed Taiwan's bid to join the assembly last week.

Taiwan says it has only received limited information and that the WHO ignored its initial enquiries about the outbreak. (Reuters)