The foreign ministry is set to issue a protest against the United Nations' decision to bar Taiwanese passport holders from entering UN premises.
A Taiwanese passport holder recently traveled to Europe but was refused entry into the UN office at Geneva. Taiwan, whose official name is the Republic of China, lost its UN seat in 1971. Its bid to rejoin the organization has been unsuccessful because of opposition from China.
In a routine press conference on Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Michael Hsu said the ministry will lodge a protest.
"The government has never accepted and will never accept this treatment by the UN," Hsu said. "We express our strong protest against the UN office at Geneva. We’re also in contact with relevant UN agencies and with friendly nations. We hope that [the friendly nations] will also help us in bringing up this matter with the UN."
Meanwhile, Hsu said that the UN has agreed to allow Taiwanese citizens to enter UN buildings by presenting two identity papers. Hsu also said the UN is not consistent in its treatment of Taiwanese visitors. He said the government will continue to negotiate with the UN on this matter to protect the country’s dignity.