China on Thursday voiced strong dissatisfaction and firm rejection to the U.S. Senate’s recent approval of a bill concerning Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to a statement by the foreign ministry.
The U.S. Senate on Aug. 6, passed a bill to “direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the WHO’’ by “unanimous consent,’’ with only a few senators present.
This bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to describe changes and improvements to the State Department’s plan to support Taiwan’s observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA).
Calling the relevant bill a complete political manipulation by a handful of anti-China politicians, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said the bill gravely violated the one-China principle.
“The three China-U.S. joint communiques, run countre to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs.
“China deplores and firmly rejects the U.S. Senate’s move, and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side,’’ said Hua.
She pointed out that according to relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the WHA, the participation of China’s Taiwan region in WHO events must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle.
The spokesperson added that the Chinese central government attached great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots.
“Under the precondition of abiding by the one-China principle, we have made appropriate arrangements for the Taiwan region’s participation in global health affairs,’’ she added.
Hua urged the U.S. Congress to fully recognise the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués as well as obey international law.
According to her, the basic norms governing international relations, refrain from helping the Taiwan region.
