Two journalists from Taiwan's national news agency, CNA, were denied press access to the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday. Reporters Without Border (RSF) has since issued a statement condemning their refusal. It says that press access should not be restricted by the passport that journalists hold.
Staff at the WHA refused to accept the Taiwanese passports of the journalists in Geneva and said they had to present a Chinese passport or a Chinese issued travel permit for Taiwan residents. The WHA says it can only grant press access to countries recognized by the UN.
RSF points out that Taiwanese journalists have not always been blocked from entering UN venues. It says, from 2009 to 2016, when cross-strait relations were less strained, Taiwan was invited as an observer to the WHA and Taiwanese press were also granted access.
CNA says in recent years, the UN has increasingly refused press access to Taiwanese journalists. RSF also says Beijing's influence over the UN and its affiliated organizations is increasing.