Chinese mainland supports Taiwan compatriots participating in WHO activities

    GENEVA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Health Minister Gao Qiang said here on Monday that the Chinese government will continue its support for Taiwan compatriots to participate in technical activities of the World Health Organization (WHO).

    "We support experts from Taiwan to participate in the WHO's technical activities, and help the Taiwan region receive timely and accurate international information and technical assistance to health," Gao told the 59th World Health Assembly (WHA).

    "We are determined to do, and do well, all the things that will benefit the health and well-being of the Taiwan compatriots," the minister said at the annual conference, which was attended by all 192 members of the WHO.

    Gao recalled that last May a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between China and the WHO to assist health experts from Taiwan to participate in WHO's technical activities.

    In accordance with the MOU, the WHO can invite health experts from Taiwan to participate in its technical activities, and send staff and experts to Taiwan to investigate the situation of health or epidemics and provide technical health assistance.

    In case severe public health emergencies occur in Taiwan province, the WHO can also send staff and experts to Taiwan for field visits, and to provide technical health assistance.

    "Facts have proved that with the implementation of the MOU, very favorable conditions have been created for effectively engaging Taiwan medical and health experts in technical activities of the WHO, technical exchanges, and the acquisition of medical and health information, etc.," Gao said.

    He noted that since the MOU was signed, 10 batches of experts from the Taiwan region, or 18 persons, had participated in WHO technical activities, covering many specialties of health.

    "We will energetically and conscientiously implement the MOU, and help health experts from Taiwan conduct more technical exchanges with the WHO," Gao said. Enditem