MOFA condemns China’s push to exclude Taiwan from WHA

MOFA condemns China’s push to exclude Taiwan from WHA

2026-05-12

On Monday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Beijing will not allow Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly, which starts next week. The announcement didn’t come as a surprise, but Legislator Jean Kuo says it’s interesting that China spoke on Taiwan via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Let’s hear more.

Guo Jiakun (May 11)
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
China’s Taiwan region, unless given approval by the Central Government, has no basis, reason or right to participate in the WHA. China has decided not to approve the Taiwan region’s participation in this year’s WHA.

Jean Kuo
Legislator (DPP)
China is making a statement on the matter through its own diplomatic authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So doesn’t that show that they consider Taiwan a separate country? On what basis and on what position do they claim to have any authority to decide on our international participation?

Sean Liao
Legislator (KMT)
We oppose any attempts to suppress Taiwan for political reasons.

Chen Gao-tzu
Legislator (TPP)
Viruses don’t act based on political positions. The outcome is unfair to Taiwan. It is a loss for public health governance in the world.

Chang Chih-sha, the Deputy Director-General of MOFA’s Affairs’ Department of International Organizations, has condemned China’s actions and strongly protested Taiwan’s exclusion. She also called on the WHO to uphold neutrality and professionalism urging for the body reject China’s political interference and invite Taiwan to join the event as an observer.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#who #health #healthcare #un #china #taiwan

中國聲稱: "不同意台灣參加WHA" 外交部表達強烈抗議

2026-05-12

中國外交部週一宣稱，不同意台灣參加WHA世界衛生大會，立委郭昱晴反酸，中國透過外交部發言，是表示台灣與中國是外交上的國際關係嗎?

[[中國外交部發言人郭嘉昆(5.11)])
“中國台灣地區在未經中央政府同意的前提，沒有任何根據、理由和權利參加世衛大會，中方決定，不同意台灣地區參加今年世衛大會。”

[[立委(民) 郭昱晴]]
“(中國)用外交部，他們自己的這個外交的單位，來形容這件事情哦，那可見他把台灣也當成是另外一個國家嗎?他們是用什麼樣的一個資格，用什麼樣的一個態度，說我們參與國際事務，跟他們有什麼樣的關係?”

[[立委(國) 廖偉翔]]
“反對任何以政治理由打壓台灣的做法。”

[[立委(眾) 陳昭姿]]
“病毒不會區分政治立場，不是只有對台灣是不公平的，事實是對全世界的公共衛生的一個治理，事實上是一個不足，是一個損失。”

針對中方打壓，外交部國際組織司副司長張芝颯則指出，外交部表達強烈抗議與譴責，並籲請世界衛生組織（WHO）秘書處秉持中立專業原則，拒絕中國的政治干預，同時呼籲WHO儘速邀請我國以觀察員身分出席大會。

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The best way to tell if a watermelon is ripe is by tapping it.

A higher, brighter sound means the fruit isn’t ready yet, while a deeper, fuller sound means it’s ripe. But most people could tap on a watermelon until it’s bruised and still not be able to tell the difference.

There are watermelon appraisers who are experts at this, but as they get older and their hearing declines, farmers have been struggling to judge their fruits’ ripeness. Now, with a collaboration between the Hualien County Government and Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, AI can help determine whether a watermelon is ripe.

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After listening for a while, appraisers’ ears might get tired and they might make mistakes, so this device can help us to improve judgement accuracy. We use it to tap and listen, confirming whether the assessment is consistent and reliable.

When farmers tap a watermelon with this AI-powered device, it analyzes the sound and shows a green light if the fruit is ripe. It’s already about 85% accurate.

Huang Neng-fu
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By loading different sound models into it, the device can perform different functions. For example, when we tap a watermelon, it can determine its level of ripeness—say 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%—or even detect internal damage or bruising.

Chen Shu-wen
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The Hualien County Government looks at the development of our technology and works together with our farmers to identify their needs and help them reduce labor costs.

From tapping and listening to using an AI-powered device, ensuring farmers can accurately determine watermelons’ ripeness will allow everyone to enjoy delicious watermelon this summer.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Rinsing purple sea urchins in beer brings out the natural sweetness of their flesh

May heralds the start of the purple sea urchin season. Many people like to visit Kaohsiung’s Kezailiao Fishing Harbor to enjoy freshly gutted urchins. Each vendor has their own unique way of preparing them. Some choose to rinse them with beer, which brings out the urchin’s natural sweetness. Let’s find out more.

- These aren’t farmed; they’re wild. We’ll catch as many as we can.

The sea urchins, freshly caught this morning, were sorted by size and then cut open with scissors.

- That’s it, just a quick rinse.

That’s right. They rinse sea urchins in beer, remove the guts, and then serve them to customers.

Vendor
Kezailiao Fishing Harbor
I developed this myself, and I’ve tested this myself. It works because it also washes away seawater, enhances flavor, removes fishy smells and leaves a sweet aftertaste.

May marks the start of the purple sea urchin season. Most vendors simply rinse the urchins with water, remove the digestive organs,and keep only the five yellow gonads. However, at a stall in Kezailiao Fishing Harbor in Kaohsiung, the vendors spare no expense and use beer to rinse them. What if they encounter customers who don’t drink alcohol?

Vendor
Kezailiao Fishing Harbor
Then don’t buy it. We will stick to adding beer. We used rice wine before, but it was too strong. This is the only one that tastes right. It doesn’t matter if it’s too expensive; the important thing is that it tastes good.

Member of public
Noticed the difference
I’ve never had it with beer. I previously had sea urchin that was rinsed with plain water, and it tasted quite different because adding beer brought out its sweetness.

When serving up raw sea urchin, the most important thing is to remove the fishy odor while preserving the sweetness. Some vendors rinse them with water and then spray them with lemon juice.

- It smells quite nice, with a lemony and sweet scent.

Penghu resident
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The beer flavor slightly overpowers the natural sweetness of the sea urchin. With this one, lemon juice has been added and it was sprayed from a bottle, so the natural sweetness has been better preserved.

To each their own. You only know which one you like after you’ve tried them.

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Biker aesthetic picks up speed as motorcycle ownership grows

Taiwanese truly love their motorbikes, with a density that ranks the highest in the world at an average of one for every 1.6 people. As more riders switch to heavy motorcycles, they’re no longer just looking to max out specs. The entire biker aesthetic, from jackets to helmets, is having a moment.

The market for heavy motorcycles is no longer just about the need for speed. It’s an entire aesthetic. From leather racing suits, to helmets, gloves, riding boots, and jackets, F1-inspired apparel brands are kicking off the spring and summer season with new collections of trendy biker gear.

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Breaking the mold of traditional riding gear, this new collection covers everything from streetwear to road and track styles. Models showcased the various street looks, including trendy racing helmets that are making their Taiwan debut. Safe while also looking chic, it’s no wonder these helmets have become a favorite among Hollywood stars and Kpop idols.

Mike Hsieh
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This helmet is the result of a lengthy period of brand development, about 10 years or so. Lots of young people are wanting to wear bolder designs. This year, we hope to focus on a more fashion-forward street style.

The number of heavy motorcycles in Taiwan continues to rise. By the end of 2024, there were already more than 260,000, with steady growth ever since. In the first quarter of this year, there were 280,766 heavy bikes among the 14,678,705 total motorbikes in Taiwan.

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CNN interviews KMT Chair ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

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CNN’s interview with KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun cut straight to the point: US skepticism for a reduced special defense package passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, NT$47 million smaller than the Cabinet’s NT$1.25 trillion proposal.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
What’s your response to calls from US lawmakers that Taiwan needs to spend this money on its defense to send the message to the global community that Taiwan is serious about its defense?

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
Actually, we are very serious. Most of it is too vague and lacks details, so we can’t give a blank check authorization.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
How can you guarantee it won’t happen if Taiwan doesn’t have what your military leaders say are enough weapons to deter military action by China?

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
When the KMT is in power, Taiwan’s defense capabilities, its deterrence will still exist.

Cheng was then asked to respond to criticisms of her meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month.

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You obviously have your critics that accused you of being a pawn while you were in Beijing, saying that you and Xi Jinping had almost the same language.

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[It may seem that I have] a common language with Xi Jinping, but it is precisely because there are so many differences between the two sides of the strait, it is critical that we find a common foundation for peaceful dialogue.

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You said publicly, you’re worried about Taiwan being treated like a pawn. Are you talking about the United States treating Taiwan like a pawn?

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I believe it is the DPP government’s wrong policies that have reduced Taiwan to a pawn.

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She also says that Taiwanese people should identify as both as Taiwanese and Chinese, Jim, which of course a very hot button issue here. A growing number of people here in Taiwan identify only as Taiwanese. They don’t identify as members of a greater Chinese nation, but that’s something that she’s really pushing for.

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Yang and her husband Lai Kuan-chih arrived back in Taiwan loaded with props and equipment, and beaming brightly.

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Getting the Golden Buzzer sends us straight to the final of Britain’s Got Talent. We were so surprised!

Yang Li-wei
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We had no idea! And it was KSI who pressed the Golden Buzzer! Simon was about to let another judge give critiques about the number, but KSI rushed over and pressed the buzzer. I was so happy.

Yang and Lai are thrilled and showed it to the cameras at the airport, where fellow troupe members and friends were at the ready to welcome them home. Yang’s success is the result of 23 years of discipline and training. Her next challenge will be the final in late May.

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Coming True Fire Group
The next round is on May 30.

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We’ll probably head back one week before the day. Over the next two weeks, we’ll be working closely with our team and create a brand-new performance together as the Coming True Fire Group. I hope you’ll all continue to cheer for us.

Yang has once again captured the international spotlight with her talents, showing that dreams can come true as long as you’re willing to persist.

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Elegant red discus fish show off their vibrant coloring as they swim through light and dark areas of the tank. At this local aquarium at the Agricultural Biotechnology Park in Pingtung’s Changzhi Township, many kinds of colorful fish and shrimp are on display.

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Brightly colored African cichlids like these were introduced to breeding farms in central and southern Taiwan over 20 years ago. Over the past decade, they have secured a place in Taiwan’s international ornamental fish market and are popular in this aquarium.

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African cichlids are our No. 1 exported ornamental fish. As for tilapia, after African cichlids were introduced, Taiwanese people bred and improved them. The more brightly colored varieties of African cichlids like these can be kept in aquariums for everyone to enjoy.

The aquarium provides a space for businesses to display their fish and shrimp, working in tandem domestic and international marketing events. Now that it’s open to the public, anyone can come to observe and learn about these beautiful sea creatures.

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