The United States is backing calls for Taiwan to be granted observer status at the U.N. health agency's biggest annual gathering, the U.S. health secretary said Monday.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar spoke to reporters in Geneva on the sidelines of the start of the World Health Organization's annual assembly, which China's government has prevented Taiwan from attending.
China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, center, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) arrives for the opening of the 72nd World Health Assembly at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, May 20, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)
For years, China allowed Taiwan to send observers to the assembly, but has locked out its envoys in recent years amid tensions between China's Communist government and the government of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
"We support Taiwan having the type of status it had previously here at the World Health Assembly," Azar said.
"We think it's important that 23 million individuals have a voice and are able to see the proceedings here and be part of that as appropriate, as consistent with past historic practices," Azar said.
Despite the difference of opinion over Taiwan, Azar said "we have an excellent relationship with China, especially on the health front."
Relations aren't necessarily strong on the trade front. The two countries are in the midst of a trade spat and there are fears it could escalate. The Trump administration has slapped tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods, which has prompted Beijing to respond with its retaliatory measures.
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive said Monday it will demand explanations from Eurovision song contest organizers why its flag was banned from the concert hall during the final.
In a contest already full of controversy, the European Commission said it plans “a very lively discussion” with the organizers over the ban. Even though the 27-nation EU did not compete as such, many of its member states did, and the star-spangled blue flag is often seen as a unifier for all involved.
EU Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer said it had “no information from the organizers at this point in time about the motivation for refusing the European flag during the event,” but the ban clearly angered EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas enough to hold talks with the Swiss-based European Broadcast Union, which organizes the contest.
“We certainly encourage the EBU to understand this is a mistake,” Mamer said.
During the weeklong contest, organizers were already roiled by the protests linked to the war in Gaza and the controversial disqualification of the Dutch participant over an incident which was never fully explained.
Ahead of the final, a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union that runs the show said ticket holders are only allowed to bring and display flags representing participating countries, as well as the rainbow-colored flag which is a symbol for LGBTQ+ communities.
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest early Sunday with “The Code,” an operatic pop-rap ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing a nongender identity.
Eden Golan of Israel enters the arena during the flag parade before the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nemo, representing Switzerland, with the song "The Code," wins the final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmö Arena, in Malmö, Sweden, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via AP)
