China criticises Taiwan claims of Beijing-WHO deal

China's foreign ministry hit out at Taiwan on Tuesday over allegations that Beijing signed a secret agreement with the World Health Organization to exclude the self-ruled island, saying "it is not a secret".

"There is no need for us to sign a memorandum with any international organization to assert that Taiwan is part of China," said Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Joseph Wu, the Taiwanese Foreign Minister, told Taipei lawmakers Monday that the Memorandum of Understanding between China and the WHO, signed in 2005 but discovered by Taiwan only in 2007, would hinder the island's participation at the upcoming World Health Assembly and other WHO events.

Wu said Taiwan needed more international support to put pressure on the WHO to allow Taiwan to participate.

Zhao dismissed Wu's concerns, saying the MOU already allows for Taiwanese experts to participate in WHO activities.

"The Taiwanese authorities once again are making a fuss of this memorandum," Zhao said. "It is just another manifestation of their attempts to politically manipulate the epidemic issue, which is completely in vain."

Also Tuesday, Zhao said China welcomed the EU's call for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus at the World Health Assembly, saying the two sides were already consulting each other over the relevant text.

"We hope that the meeting will adopt a positive resolution to send the international community an important signal of strengthening international solidarity, fully mobilizing resources, sharing useful experience, and making concerted efforts to fight the epidemic," Zhao said.

Zhao's comments came despite China criticising a similar call from Australia.