A general view pictured during the 70th World Health Assembly, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, May 22, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) (Associated Press)GENEVA — Taiwan’s health minister on Monday accused China of playing politics with health after Taiwan was blocked from taking part in the annual meeting of the governing body of the World Health Organization for the first time since 2008. Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung lashed out at China’s actions, which Beijing said was taken because Taiwan’s year-old government has reneged on the “One China” principle. “Are we here to discuss politics, or are we here to discuss health?” Chen told supporters and journalists. “It is not only that Taiwan needs the WHO, the WHO also needs Taiwan.”The World Health Assembly, now in its 70th edition, brings together health ministers and other top health officials from its 194 member states.

Source: Washington Post May 22, 2017 10:16 UTC