ISLAMABAD, May 19 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting,Health and Women Development Ms Sherry Rehman on Monday said that Pakistan strongly believes in "One China Policy" and regards Taiwan an indivisible part and province of China, which will soon return to the mainland. In her speech at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland she said that "the Government of the People's Republic of China has the sole responsibility of representing all its provinces and territorial units in the international forums."

She further said that Pakistan fully endorses and supports the decision to set aside the proposal to "invite Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly as observer". This is a prudent decision which is anchored in legality.

She said that the issue of representation of China in the United Nations was settled once and for all 37 years ago and it should not be reopened.  This Assembly should focus on health-related issues,she stressed.

The Minister opined that today, the most urgent issue about China that this august Assembly should address is the need to bring quick relief to the victims of the deadly earthquake that has struck China. "Collectively, we should take action to heal wounds, to rehabilitate, and to rebuild shattered lives and neighborhoods," she stressed.

She said that the Chinese government has been making commendable efforts to promote cross Strait exchanges. We appreciate the goodwill, sincerity and flexibility demonstrated by China to encourage direct contacts between the Liaison Office in Taiwan and the WHO Secretariat for exchange of technical information and support with regard to effective implementation of the International Health Regulations in Taiwan,said the Minister.

"We commend Chinese Government's readiness and efforts to engage Taiwan, to explore ways to associate Taiwanese professionals with the WHO, and to facilitate technical exchanges between Taiwan and the WHO," she added.

She said Pakistan was of the view that the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese Government and the WHO Secretariat to facilitate technical exchanges between Taiwan and WHO, adequately addresses concerns raised by the Taiwan authorities from time to time.