Taiwan official speaks at UN meeting, china protests

Geneva, Switzerland, Mar 30 (UNI) Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-wen urged the member states of the United Nations at a conference of the Human Rights Council to support Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that drew a protest from Chinese officials afterwards.

Yao's speech marked the first time a high-ranking Taiwan official has made a statement at a UN meeting reports the Taiwanese central agency (CNA).

The success achieved this time was the result of careful planning in advance and a low-key attitude that prevented Chinese officials from finding out about the plan in advance, Yao said yesterday.

Due to Taiwan's lack of UN membership and strong pressure from China, it is very difficult for Taiwanese officials to attend UN conferences or speak at UN meetings.

Yao and ruling Democratic Progressive Party Department of International Affairs Director Chen Chung-hsin attended the fourth conference of the council held in Geneva this month on behalf of Liberal International, a world federation of liberal and democratic political parties.

Yao arrived in Geneva March 26 and attended the conference for two days, while Chen chaired a peripheral meeting for Liberal International.

As Yao was making his statement, Chinese officials failed to interrupt him. However, they voiced their protest afterwards.

In addition, Liberal International presented a written statement at the conference claiming that it is a basic right of the Taiwan people for Taiwan to join the WHO.

The statement was later listed as one of the official conference documents.

Yao's success will provide further momentum for Taiwan, as the country is preparing itself for the World Health Assembly slated to be held in May, Chen said.

Taiwan will take a more ''pro-active action'' at that time, Chen went on, although he also predicted that China will also try harder to block Taiwan's efforts.

UNI