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.

Final supermoon of 2025 illuminates night sky

The final supermoon of 2025 graced the night skies over China from Thursday evening through to early Friday, creating some spectacular illuminated scenery.

According to the Beijing Planetarium, this supermoon reached its fullest phase at 07:14 Beijing time on Friday morning.

Approximately 12 hours prior, the moon passed its perigee -- the closest point to Earth -- with the Earth-moon distance being less than 360,000 kilometers, meeting the common definition of a supermoon and ranking as the second largest full moon of the year.

The latest supermoon occurrence was preceded by a stunning and even larger one back in November, which occurred nine hours before the perigee, while there was also a smaller one in October.

Astronomers say that the "secret" to enjoying the supermoon at its peak is all about timing and location. They note the golden hour comes shortly after sunset when the moon just rises.

Against the backdrop of trees or buildings, it appears exceptionally large and full, while there may be a sense of illusion which makes the shimmering moon appear all the more impressive.

"When the moon just rises, it may appear larger against terrestrial scenery. By midnight on the same day, when it's high in the sky with no contrasting objects around, it seems smaller. This isn't an actual change in size, but an illusion," said Kou Wen, a senior engineer at the Beijing Planetarium. Astronomers say the next supermoon will not appear until this time next year, though it is anticipated to be even more noteworthy.

"The next such supermoon will occur in December of next year. That time, the interval between passing perigee and the full moon will be only about six or seven hours, making it even closer than both occurrences this year," Kou said.