Outcry as World Health Assembly locks out Taiwan under pressure from China

Taipei criticises unfair and unjust' decision to deny observer status despite support from US, UK, France and other countries

The World Health Assembly has again rejected Taiwan's request to join its annual gathering amid routine objections from China and despite strong support from a coalition of countries including the US, UK, France and Australia.

The assembly - the forum through which the World Health Organization is governed - on Monday decided not to extend an invitation for Taiwan to attend the 21-30 May event in Geneva as an observer. China and Pakistan spoke against the bid, while the Marshall Islands, Belize, Nauru and eSwatini - four of Taiwan's 13 formal diplomatic allies - spoke in support.