Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks during a press briefing in Beijing, China, April 10, 2020. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING - Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, has termed false the claim by the United States that the international community failed to get information from the Taiwan region regarding the novel coronavirus situation there. 

He made the comment while answering a question from a China Daily reporter at a news briefing on Friday in Beijing. The following is the full text：  

China Daily question: The US State Department spokesperson said on April 9 that the US is "deeply disturbed that Taiwan's information was withheld from the global health community, as reflected in the WHO's Jan 14 statement that there was no indication of human-to-human transmission." She also claimed that "the WHO once again chose politics over public health," and the WHO's actions "cost time and lives." What is your comment?  

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian: I responded to a similar question yesterday. Since the US has refused to let go of this issue and kept trying to confuse public opinion on it, I would like to make a few more comments.  

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First, the novel coronavirus is a novel virus, which means it takes time for us to research it, know it and draw conclusions accordingly. This is a science-based process. On January 20, a high-level expert group of the National Health Commission of China announced the confirmation of human-to-human transmission. The WHO sent a team on a field trip to Wuhan from Jan 20 to 21. Dr Gauden Galea, WHO Representative in China, said on Jan 21 that the latest information showed that the virus has been passed to some extent from person to person.  

We can see that at the earliest time possible, the WHO released authoritative information based on China's confirmation of "human-to-human transmission" and its field visits. In fact, no responsible countries or organizations will jump to conclusions without sufficient and valid evidence.  

Second, the US claims that the international community failed to get information from the Taiwan region. This is not true. As people in the Taiwan region share a bond of kinship with us, no one cares more about their health and well-being than the Chinese central government.  

After the epidemic broke out, the National Health Commission of China promptly informed the Taiwan region of the situation. In mid-January, at the request of the relevant departments in the Taiwan region, experts from the Taiwan region paid a field visit to Wuhan and had discussions with mainland experts. Taiwan medical experts expressed sincere thanks to the mainland for the reception.  

WHO is a specialized UN agency composed of sovereign states. Taiwan's participation in the activities of WHO and other international organizations needs to be arranged in a reasonable and appropriate manner after cross-straits consultations under the one-China principle.  

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According to the agreement reached between China and the WHO, there is an International Health Regulations Contact Point in the Taiwan region, so it can obtain timely information on global public health emergencies released by the WHO, and report its public health emergency information to the WHO in a timely manner as well. Health experts from the Taiwan region can attend WHO technical meetings, and WHO experts can visit the Taiwan region if necessary for field trips or to provide assistance.  

These arrangements ensure that the Taiwan region can respond to public health emergencies in a timely and effective manner wherever these emergencies occur.  

Third, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the WHO has been holding an objective, scientific and impartial position, performing its duties, and making enormous efforts to assist countries in response to the pandemic and to promote international cooperation, which has been widely recognized and highly praised by the international community.  

The US State Department Spokesperson made fact-distorting comments to shift the blame, which won't be helpful to ease the current situation in the US or to facilitate international anti-epidemic cooperation. Her words will only damage the credibility, image and interests of the US.  

We urge the US side to respect the facts and international public opinion, and focus on containing the epidemics at home. China will, as always, firmly support the WHO in fulfilling its duties and leading global anti-epidemic cooperation.