All eyes on China as World Health Organisation body meets on coronavirus response, Taiwan

More than 100 countries reportedly support the push for an independent inquiry into Covid-19’s origins

WHO decision makers must also decide whether to allow the island to be an observer at its gatherings

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WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will address the meeting. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:41pm, 18 May 2020Updated: 11:45pm, 18 May 2020

China will be in the spotlight at the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) annual health forum, with major powers pushing for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic and for Taiwan to be granted a seat at the table.

The World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO’s decision-making body, will meet online for a shortened agenda on Monday and Tuesday, when Beijing and Western countries – particularly the United States – are expected to debate responsibility for the pandemic.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will address the assembly, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has also been invited to deliver a speech at the meeting.

A draft resolution proposed by the European Union (EU) and co-sponsored by Australia, Britain, Zambia, and others, calls for an “impartial, independent, and comprehensive evaluation” of the WHO’s response to the coronavirus, as well as identification of the pathogen’s source.

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The draft resolution also calls for greater international collaboration on vaccines, including through voluntary pooling and licensing of patents.