Taiwan medical team at epicenter of virus outbreak

China says it hosted a medical team from Taiwan at epicenter of new disease outbreak while barring island's demand to attend a United Nations meeting on virus.

" one cares more about health welfare of Taiwan compatriots than Chinese central government," said Geng Shuang, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, at a regular press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

He n detailed an "onsite investigation" by Taiwanese authorities in Wuhan, where virus was first detected at a seafood market.

But he reaffirmed China's One China policy in relation to Taiwan that would bar island from participating in an upcoming emergency meeting at World Health Organization hequarters in Geneva.

China regards Taiwan as its own territory and t entitled to representation in most international bodies.

At China's insistence, Taiwan is neir a member of World Health Organization or allowed to participate in any of its meetings.

However, large numbers of Taiwan's people travel to and live in China, where 440 people have contracted virus and nine have been killed by outbreak that originated in city of Wuhan.

One case has been confirmed in Taiwan and ors in Macao, South Korea, Japan and Thailand.

Taiwan, which was heavily affected by a 2002-2003 SARS outbreak that also originated in China, has enacted strict monitoring, detection and quarantine measures.

Geng also anunced a new Special Envoy for Afghanistan.