WHO

WHO senior doctor pretends not to hear question about Taiwan, ends video call with Hong Kong reporter

Bruce Aylward of the WHO
International Relations 
Phillip Charlier 11 Comments , , ,

Assistant director-general of the World Health Organization Bruce Aylward appeared to go deaf, or to have experienced technical difficulties when a Hong Kong reporter asked him a question about Taiwan, then rudely hung up when the reporter repeated the question. During an interview for RTHK’s weekly current affairs show, The Pulse, Yvonne Tong asked Aylward: “Will the WHO reconsider Taiwan’s membership?” Aylward’s eyes and mouth twitched with a slightly pained expression, then followed a long, awkward silence with Aylward staring

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ICAO misrepresents Taiwan as “province of China” in press release on economic impact of coronavirus

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) headquarters, Montreal, Canada
International Relations 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , , ,

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) referred to Taiwan as a province of China in a press release forecasting the economic impact of the Wuhan coronavirus on international airlines, February 13. Using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) freshly-designated name COVID-19, which was coined to avoid reference to the original source of the epidemic in a capital city of a province of China, the press release noted that 70 airlines have cancelled international flights to and from China, and that a

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Taiwan president thanks Philippine friends after travel ban lifted

President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen
International Relations 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her gratitude to “friends from all walks of life” in the Philippines for their support, after a cabinet-level meeting resulted in a lifting of a travel ban by the Philippine government, today, February 14. Philippine presidential spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo announced that the Philippines has lifted the travel ban imposed Feb. 10, effective immediately. The announcement came after what was described as “a heated debate,” according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, quoting anonymous Philippine officials. Thousands

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Philippines bans visitors from Taiwan under one-China Principle

passengers stranded at a Philippine airport
International Relations 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , ,

Around 150 people were caught mid-flight and banned from entering the Philippines after the Civil Aeronautics Board of the Philippines (CAB) suddenly imposed a ban on entry from Taiwan based on the one-China principle late last night, February 10. The CAB announced the ban at 9:50 pm, while flights from Taiwan to several Philippines airports were already in the air. The ban stipulated that arrivals from Taiwan will not be allowed entry other than those with a Philippines passport or

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ICAO blocks debate about Taiwan’s exclusion from pandemic-prevention efforts

ICAO headquarters
Media Issues 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has blocked social media users who are calling for Taiwan’s participation in the joint WHO-ICAO efforts to help curb the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus. Many Twitter accounts have been blocked by the organization, including those of Congressional staff, D.C.-based analysts, academics, and journalists, according to a report in AXIOS. “Taipei is an international transit hub, and Taiwan’s exclusion means it can’t take part in information sharing and logistical planning as the coronavirus spreads.” The

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