«After what Beijing has done to Xinjiang, Tibet & Hong Kong, no sane person would believe it could take care of Taiwan’s health needs or otherwise,» Taiwan’s foreign minister tweeted on Tuesday.
Taiwan’s foreign minister on Tuesday criticized China for issuing «shameless lies» amid an ongoing dispute about Beijing blocking Taiwan from participating in the World Health Organization ( WHO). Last week, the United States and Group of Seven (G7) nations called for Taiwan’s «meaningful participation» in the WHO and World Health Assembly (WHA), which will meet on May 24. But China, which continues to recognize the island as one of its provinces and not a democratically-independent country, has previously blocked Taiwan from participating in most global organizations, including the WHO. In response to the G7 request, China’s foreign ministry said Monday that «appropriate arrangements» have been made for Taiwan’s participation in global health matters outside of joining the WHO. The ministry also claimed that nobody cared for Taiwan’s people more than the Chinese government, prompting swift criticisms from the island. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying added that «Taiwan compatriots are our flesh and blood. The Chinese central government takes all necessary measures to ensure the health and well-being of the Taiwan compatriots,» according to Reuters.
