Beijing has misled the WHO, health minister declares

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By Melody Chen
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004,Page 3

Beijing misled World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Lee Jong-wook when explaining Taiwan's bid to join the organization earlier this year, Department of Health Director-General Chen Chien-jen (???) said yesterday.

Lee, in his meeting with Chinese Vice Health Minister Gao Qiang (??) in Beijing Monday, said it would be impossible for Taiwan to become an observer or a member of the WHO.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Lee as saying: "China is one of the WHO's most important member states. Taiwan will never become a WHO member or observer."

According to WHO regulations, the health body receives entrance applications from all countries. However, Lee noted the organization's membership is open only to "states," without elaborating whether he thought Taiwan was a state.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/04/21/2003137498

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