Taiwan attacks on WHO ‘venomous’
BEIJING/TAIPEI: China has accused Taiwan of ‘‘venomously’’ attacking the World Health Organisation (WHO), seeking independence and conniving with internet users to spread racist comments, after the agency’s chief said racist slurs against him had come from the island.
Taiwan has responded angrily to
WHO directorgeneral
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ assertion and demanded he apologise.
Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO, due to China’s objections, has infuriated the Taipei Government during the coronavirus outbreak.
Taiwan says it has been unable to get timely information and Taiwanese lives have been put at risk. The WHO denies this.
In a statement early yesterday, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office took aim at the ‘‘Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] authorities’’, referring to Taiwan’s ruling party and the island’s democratically elected government.
‘‘The DPP authorities are unscrupulously using the virus to seek independence, venomously attacking the WHO and its responsible people, conniving with the green internet army to wantonly spread racist comments,’’ it said.
‘‘We strongly condemn this.’’ Green is the DPP’s party colour.
However, Taiwan’s Justice Ministry said yesterday Twitter posts purported to be from Taiwanese people apologising to Tedros for being racist about him were actually posted by people in China.
‘‘There is a concern it is a deliberate operation by overseas forces,’’ the ministry’s investigation bureau said.
‘‘Falsely claiming to be Taiwanese and openly admitting to racist attacks on WHO directorgeneral Tedros and begging forgiveness seriously damages our country’s international reputation.’’ — Reuters