Question: On May 18, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the US strongly advocates for the WHO to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer at the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) this May. What's China's comment?

Spokesperson: We firmly oppose the US statement. There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan region's participation in the activities of international organizations, including the WHO, must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. UNGA Resolution 2758 explicitly recognizes the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations. WHA Resolution 25.1 explicitly recognizes the representatives of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the World Health Organization. The one-China principle affirmed in these two resolutions has received universal support from the international community and represents an undeniable and unstoppable trend with overwhelming public support.

The Chinese Central Government attaches great importance to the health and well-being of our compatriots in the Taiwan region, and has made proper arrangement for Taiwan's participation in global health affairs on the precondition of following the one-China principle. The channels for Taiwan to obtain information and participate in the international COVID-19 response are unimpeded.

The US should adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, and stop exploiting the WHA to play up Taiwan-related issues. Any attempt to play the “Taiwan card” to contain China will be firmly rejected by the overwhelming majority of members of the international community and is doomed to fail.