WASHINGTON, CNA -- Twenty-one U.S. senators co-signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price Wednesday to "express profound concern" over Taiwan's exclusion from this year's World Health Assembly (WHA) due to Chinese obstruction. The WHA, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland from May 22-31. The letter also noted that infectious diseases do not recognize international borders and the inclusion of all international parties is crucial to protecting global health - particularly given Taiwan's record of strong public health institutions. "Neither Taiwan, nor the international community is served by restricting Taiwan's access to timely information and important resources that protect public health," it said. Taiwan had taken part in every WHA meeting since then, until this year.

Source: The China Post May 19, 2017 00:01 UTC