China strongly opposes the United States' support for Taiwan's "participation" in the World Health Organization (WHO), and has strenuously denounced the action to the US Government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said yesterday.

Zhang addressed the issue in response to a question about a bill passed by the US Congress supporting Taiwan's bid to be an "observer" in the WHO. US President George W. Bush has signed the resolution.

Zhang said the WHO is a United Nations' organization whose membership is open only to sovereign states. Taiwan, which is part of China, is therefore not qualified to participate.

The Chinese Government is concerned about the health and social welfare of Taiwan compatriots and plays an active role in promoting health exchanges and co-operation across the Straits. Residents in Taiwan also have large accessibility to health information, said Zhang.

The aim behind Taiwan's participation in the WHO is to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" she added.

The US support of Taiwan's "participation" in the WHO goes against the American commitment to the one-China policy and the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiquis.

China demanded the United States stop its connivance and support of Taiwan's attempts to separate China, to avoid harming Sino-US relations, Zhang said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2002)