Taiwan's Foreign Ministry has condemned 'groundless' accusations from the head of the World Health Organisation of making racist slurs against him. — Reuters pic
Taiwan's lack of membership of the WHO, due to pressure from China which claims the island as its own, has infuriated the Taipei government during the coronavirus outbreak, which says it has been unable to get timely information and that Taiwanese lives have become political pawns. The WHO denies the criticisms.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemned and protested the groundless accusations” which it labelled “imaginary.” Taiwan condemns any form of discrimination, and any attacks on the internet against the WHO's boss have nothing to do with Taiwan's Foreign Ministry nor have been instigated by it, the ministry added.Taiwan has been proud of its early and so far effective measures against the coronavirus, logging just 379 cases and five deaths to date, far lower than many of its neighbours, even as it has been excluded from the WHO.
China owned WHO refused to include Taiwan in initial stages of virus when they were seeking help and guidance.