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TAIPEI (AFP) – Taiwan said Friday (October 19th) that Interpol had rejected its request to attend next month's General Assembly meeting in Dubai as an observer, accusing the Chinese pressure in the last attempt of an international forum.
China considers Taiwan autonomous and democratic as a part of its territory awaiting reunification and has used its influence to reduce the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing's skeptical president, Tsai Ing-wen, has took office in May 2016.
The government confirmed Friday that it received an official notification from Interpol informing it of its request to attend the meeting as an observer.
"Interpol's rejection of Taiwan is unreasonable, but we know that China's suppression of Taiwan is an important reason," Taiwanese Prime Minister William Lai told reporters.
He described China 's behavior towards Taiwan as "arrogant and authoritarian".
Taiwan first requested to attend the meeting in 2016, when it was also refused. This did not apply in 2017 because the annual meeting was held in Beijing.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry also expressed "deep regret and dissatisfaction" at Interpol's decision.
"Taiwan is justified in its desire to participate in Interpol and enjoys the support of its allies and like-minded countries, including the United States," said spokesman Andrew Lee.
Taiwan's offers to participate in international forums are regularly thwarted under pressure from Beijing.
The island has also been barred from attending the World Health Assembly (AMS) meeting and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the island could only participate in the WHA from 2009 to 2016 because the previous Taiwan government had agreed with Beijing that it was there. than a "China".
The former administration of the island touted the agreement as allowing cross-border relations to flourish without compromising Taiwan's sovereignty, but Beijing saw it as meaning that Taiwan and Taiwan the continent are part of a single China.
President Tsai and her progressive, pro-independence Democratic party have refused to recognize this principle, which Beijing sees as the cornerstone of its relations.
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