Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says Taiwan's delegation attending events on
the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva have been facing
monitoring and pressure from China during this year's gathering.

According to Shih, although many like-minded countries continue to express
support for Taiwan's participation, Beijing's pressure can be felt in private
interactions.

Shih says individuals believed to be Chinese nationals were seen monitoring
the movements of members of Taiwan's delegation during a walking event ..

.. while attendance by representatives from Taiwan's diplomatic allies and
international organizations at a "Taiwan Night" event organized by civic
groups was noticeably lower this year, which may have been linked to pressure
from China.

However, the health minister is stressing that despite the absence of U-S
health officials this year, exchanges with other countries and participation
in technical meetings and forums on the sidelines have not been not
significantly affected.

The minister also says Taiwan's W-H-A action team adopted a more flexible
approach to international exchanges this year, using side events,
professional forums, and banquets to deepen interactions with health
officials and delegates from other countries.