TAIPEI, Reuters – Taiwan has expressed regret over World Health Organization’s inability to invite Taiwan to the upcoming Geneva annual assembly. This was despite China’s diplomatic pressure to isolate Taiwan.

According to a statement by the foreign ministry, Taiwan had repeatedly requested that the WHO allow Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA) scheduled for May 22-28 as an observer.

Beijing has objected to Taiwan being excluded from many global organizations. China claims Taiwan shouldn’t be considered an independent nation because it regards Taiwan as one of its provinces.

Taiwan complained about its exclusion by the WHO, which has hindered efforts to combat the COVID-19 epidemic.

The ministry stated that “The WHO failed in being neutral and professional and repeatedly ignored the necessity and urgent need for Taiwan to participate in the WHO/WHA.”

A WHO official stated earlier this week that a decision on whether Taiwan will be granted observer status would likely come by Monday after receiving a proposal form 13 members states.

Taiwan will send an observer delegation to Geneva in order to lobby the assembly for the status of observer and meet counterparts from other nations on the sidelines.

Reuters was unable to reach the WHO immediately for a reply.

China stopped Taiwan from attending the assembly after Taiwan’s 2016 election of President Tsai Img-wen. China regards him as a separatist and she strongly rejects this charge. From 2009 to 2016, Taiwan was allowed to participate in the assembly during warmer relations between Beijing, Taipei.

According to the U.S. State Department, Taiwan should be allowed into the meeting. They stated on Tuesday that China’s decision to exclude Taiwan from the event was both unjustified and detrimental for the global health of the country.

Taiwan denies China’s claims of sovereignty, and asserts that only it can determine the future of Taiwan.