China on Monday warned that "Taiwan independence" leads nowhere and that related provocations are doomed to fail, after the 79th World Health Assembly once again rejected a Taiwan-related proposal.

Both the General Committee and the Plenary Session of the 79th WHA rejected a so-called proposal submitted by certain countries to "invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer", marking the 10th consecutive year that the WHA has rejected such a proposal.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the remarks in a statement, emphasizing that the Taiwan region's participation in the activities of international organizations, including the World Health Organization, must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle, a fundamental principle affirmed by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1.

READ MORE: Taiwan's participation in WHA stopped

"China's Taiwan region, unless given approval by the central government, has no basis, reason or right to participate in the WHA," the spokesperson said. "Due to the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' persistent separatist stance, the political foundation for the Taiwan region to participate in the WHA no longer exists."

The so-called "gap" in global anti-epidemic efforts, the spokesperson said, is "nothing but a politically driven lie".

According to the spokesperson, under the prerequisite that the one-China principle is upheld, the Chinese central government has made proper arrangements for the Taiwan region's participation in global health affairs, and the Taiwan region's medical and health experts can participate in WHO technical meetings.

In addition, under the framework of the International Health Regulations, the Taiwan region has unimpeded, full-fledged information exchange mechanisms with the WHO and countries around the world, and the two sides across the Taiwan Strait also have an unimpeded information-sharing mechanism for infectious disease outbreaks.

ALSO READ: Beijing: Taiwan is not eligible to participate in WHA

The spokesperson said China's decision not to approve the Taiwan region's participation in this year's WHA has received broad understanding and support from the international community. The overwhelming majority of countries have expressed support for China's position in various ways, including by writing to the WHO Director-General.

Also on Monday, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said, "It shows that commitment to the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends, and what the greater national interests entail. The international community's commitment to the one-China principle is not to be challenged or shaken."

Contact the writers at zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn