World Health Assembly again rejects Taiwan-related proposal

China

World Health Assembly again rejects Taiwan-related proposal

2025-05-20 11:15 Last Updated At：19:27

The World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Monday decided not to include in its agenda a so-called proposal on Taiwan's participation in the annual assembly as an observer.

In response to the 78th WHA's decision on certain countries' so-called proposal of "inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer," Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, stated in his speech at the assembly that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 have long since resolved the issue of China's representation, including Taiwan, in a comprehensive and conclusive manner.

"The 1943 Cairo Declaration clearly stated that all the territories Japan has stolen from China, including Taiwan, shall be restored to China, which was reaffirmed in the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation. In the 1970s, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 explicitly recognized the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations," Chen said in an interview on Monday. He said that the WHA has, for consecutive years, rejected so-called Taiwan-related proposals, thereby upholding the authority of the UN and the post-war international order.

"The decision of this year's WHA sends a strong signal: Upholding the one-China principle reflects the will of the people and the trend of the times. It is a powerful rebuttal to the Taiwan authorities and the political manipulation by a few countries. For years, under the one-China principle, the Chinese central government has made proper arrangements for Taiwan's participation in global health affairs. Taiwan experts have full access to global health information and can share local experiences and practices externally. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' so-called claim of a 'gap in [global] anti-epidemic efforts' is nothing but a politically-driven lie, aimed at using health as a pretext to seek separatism," said Chen.

Facts have proven that the path of Taiwan separatism is a dead end, he added.

The WHA is typically held every May in Geneva. Its main responsibilities include setting organizational policies and reviewing and approving the program budget. This year's Assembly is scheduled to conclude on May 27.

South Africans rally in solidarity with Venezuela against U.S. aggression

Demonstrators from civil groups, trade unions and other communities in South Africa rallied outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg on Friday, denouncing U.S. unilateral military actions against Venezuela and voicing solidarity with the Latin American nation.

They gathered along the street in front of the consulate, carrying banners that read "Hands Off Venezuela" and "Stop Imperialism," chanting slogans against U.S. hegemony and aggression.

"We are here to protest the U.S. threats to global peace, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro Moros of Venezuela, which was done in violation of international law, in violation of territorial integrity of Venezuela, of course, in violation of national sovereignty of Venezuela," said Solly Afrika Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party.

In the early hours of Jan. 3, the United States carried out a military strike against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, taking them to the United States.

Some protesters said the crisis in Venezuela shows how geopolitical struggles have direct and immediate effects on ordinary people's lives.

"Venezuela belongs to the people of Venezuela and nobody else. For American belligerent and colonial aggression, quite frankly, is not just something very distant. Never before have questions of geopolitics been of immediate and direct relevance and direct and immediate impacts on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people, as you are seeing today," said Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA).

Placards at the rally blended English and Spanish slogans, while some demonstrators sang liberation songs from South Africa's anti-apartheid era to express solidarity. Passing motorists slowed in front of the consulate, honking in support.

Defying the summer heat, the crowd remained spirited and resolute, their chants echoing along the street in a clear call for an end to foreign interference and respect for Venezuela's sovereignty.