Beijing: China on Thursday declared that the political foundation allowing Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) no longer exists.

According to Anadolu Agency, this assertion was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian during a news conference in Beijing. Lin attributed the situation to Taiwan authorities' "adherence to a separatist 'Taiwan independence' stance," which he argues has dismantled the political basis for Taiwan's inclusion in the WHA, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Lin emphasized that "without the approval of the central government, there is no basis, reason, or right for the island of Taiwan to participate in the WHA." He further stated that in order to maintain the one-China principle and uphold the authority of relevant United Nations and WHA resolutions, China has decided against permitting Taiwan's attendance at this year's WHA.

Taiwan, which is not a member of the UN, has not been invited to the WHA's 78th annual assembly, set to occur from May 19-27 in Geneva. The issue is rooted in the ongoing tension between China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, and Taipei, which asserts its independence.