BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The issue of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) must be handled based on the one-China principle, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Monday.
Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks when responding to a question on Taiwan's absence from the 72nd WHA as the registration for the event will end Monday.
Taiwan's absence is totally caused by the acts of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, Ma said.
Taiwan participated in the WHA from 2009 to 2016 as an observer in the name of "Chinese Taipei." This special arrangement was made through cross-Strait consultations based on mutual adherence to the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle.
The DPP administration, since it came into office in May 2016, has been stubbornly adhering to the separatist position of "Taiwan independence" and refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, he added.
Such moves have undermined the political foundation for cross-Strait consultations and led to the absence of Taiwan from the WHA, Ma said.
The mainland always highly values the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, Ma said, adding that it has taken many measures to promote cross-Strait cooperation and exchanges on healthcare and made proper arrangements for Taiwan to participate in global health affairs under the one-China principle.
The DPP, which undermines the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations out of its own selfish motive, will surely be opposed by people from across the Strait, he said.
