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https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/18/858087854/pompeo-blasts-who-and-china-for-excluding-taiwan-from-this-weeks-health-assembly
Pompeo Blasts WHO And China For Excluding Taiwan From This Week's Health Assembly
May 18, 20203:51 PM ET
JOHN RUWITCH
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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a news conference at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on April 29. Pompeo criticized the World Health Organization on Monday for not inviting Taiwan to its assembly.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday blasted the head of the World Health Organization for bowing to Chinese pressure and not inviting Taiwan to attend the body's annual meeting, damaging its credibility at a crucial time.
The World Health Assembly started on Monday amid the worst pandemic in modern history.
Taiwan has won worldwide plaudits for its deft handling of the coronavirus, despite close links to China, where the disease first emerged. The self-ruled island has reported just 440 confirmed cases and seven virus-related deaths.
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But since it is not a United Nations member, Taiwan required an invitation to attend the assembly as an observer — which was not forthcoming, despite a strong push in recent weeks with backing from the United States, Japan, New Zealand and others.
The Chinese government in Beijing considers Taiwan a province of China and says the central government represents the island's interests sufficiently in the WHO.
Pompeo said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had the legal power and precedent to include it this year.
"Yet, he instead chose not to invite Taiwan under pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). The Director-General's lack of independence deprives the Assembly of Taiwan's renowned scientific expertise on pandemic disease, and further damages the WHO's credibility and effectiveness at a time when the world needs it the most," Pompeo said in a statement.
Thanks for that update. Thought I may have heard it before.