TAIPEI/BEIJING – Although Taiwan will not be invited to a significant meeting of the World Health Organization this month, Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, stated that it was “very difficult”.

China has raised objections to Taiwan’s inclusion in most international organisations. China regards Taiwan as a part of its territory and not a country. Taipei complained in particular that Taiwan’s exclusion from WHO has made it difficult to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2009 to 2016, Taiwan was an observer at the World Health Assembly. This body is responsible for making decisions about WHO. China blocked Taiwan from further participation following the election of Taiwan President TsaiIngwen. China regards her as a separatist. This is a charge that she strongly rejects.

Wu responded to questions by parliamentarians, saying they would continue to search for an invitation.

He added that “the difficulty is very high” but that he was still actively working towards it.

China did not announce it would approve Taiwan’s invite this year. But, Taiwan has the strong backing of its democratically-governed allies in the West, such as the G7 group advanced industrialised states.

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation requesting that Taiwan’s State Department submit a plan for restoring its observer status.

Zhao Lijian from China’s foreign ministry stated Monday that China is opposed to Taiwan taking part in its “one China” initiative.

Zhao suggested that the Democratic Progressive Party authority should stop using the pandemic as a tool for political manipulation. Otherwise, they would only be humiliated,” Zhao stated, in reference to Taiwan’s ruling party.

Wu explained that Taiwan’s Deputy Ministry of Health Lee Lifeng leads a delegation headed to Geneva. Wu hopes she will meet other health ministers and make Taiwan an offer to participate.

Taiwan’s Health Minister Chen Shihchung will remain in Taiwan to supervise the battle against an increase in COVID-19 infections at home. There have been some 290,000.000 cases reported since the beginning of the year. However, most people who were affected by the infection had no symptoms or only mild symptoms.