Taiwan doubles down

on virus criticism as
China denounces
3 MIN READ
'disgusting' behavior
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TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan doubled down on its
criticism of China’s handling of the coronavirus crisis
on Wednesday, saying the Communist Party cared
more about power than its own people, while Beijing
described Taipei’s allegations of a cover-up as slander.

FILE PHOTO: A passenger takes photos of the flight information board as the Taiwanese
government announced a ban for most foreigners entering the island, as part of preventive measures
against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Taoyuan International airport in Taoyuan, Taiwan,
March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo
The epidemic has deepened enmity between Taiwan
and China, which regards the democratic island as its
sacred territory, to be brought under its control by
force if necessary.

Taiwan’s government says China has intentionally

hampered its efforts to get virus information direct
from the World Health Organization. China blocks
Taiwan’s WHO membership as it considers the island
merely one of its provinces.

Taiwan has also been angered by stepped-up Chinese

military drills near the island in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang accused

China of covering up the crisis in its early stages and
not giving the world early enough warning.
Then on Wednesday, Cho Jung-tai, chairman of
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),
reiterated the cover-up accusation, adding that China
had hoodwinked the WHO.

“Since the outbreak of the epidemic at the end of last

year, China has covered it up and manipulated the
WHO to pretend that everything is going well,” Cho
told a party meeting, according to a statement.

“The Chinese Communist Party regime’s approach of

maintaining stability and neglecting people’s lives and
health has caused the spread of the epidemic and
seriously damaged China’s carefully crafted image as
a great power,” he added.