Senior WHO official dodges questions about Taiwan’s WHO membership; praises China
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited, almost always critically, as evidence of Chinese influence over the WHO during the Covid pandemic.
What it is
A short news clip of WHO official Bruce Aylward's 2020 interview with a Hong Kong outlet, in which he stalls and then ends the call when asked about Taiwan's WHO membership. He also says he would want to be treated in China if infected.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2020 to 2026.
What Hacker News said
Cites gruez · 2020-12 · on “China is the greatest enemy to freedom – US intelligence chief”
>The WHO seems to be owned by China: [this video] From the video title alone: >Senior WHO official dodges questions about Taiwan’s WHO membership Isn't that... expected? Even the US (and most other western countries) doesn't recognize taiwan as a nation for the purposes of WHO/UN membership, so what's he supposed to do? Try to make a political statement and say "taiwan is a country too!", and piss off china in the process? What would such a statement achieve? >praises China That's also expected of an organization that's basically reliant on other countries to cooperate (provide infection numbers, virus samples, etc.). Praise is cheap, and scolding China is counterproductive. China's heavy handed
Cites SpaceRaccoon · 2021-03 · on “Why the Wuhan lab leak theory shouldn't be dismissed”
Could you explain why evidence that the virus evolved naturally contradicts the lab-leak theory? I'm all ears and waiting to hear the reasoning. As others have pointed out, lab-leak does not imply artificially developed. > I’m a bioscientist. And I'm a Bayesian analyst. Surely your position is that it is a coincidence that: - the virus appeared to originate in Wuhan - genome sequences from patients were 96% or 89% identical to the Bat CoV ZC45 coronavirus originally found in Rhinolophus affinis - The bats carrying CoV ZC45 were originally found in Yunnan or Zhejiang province, both of which are more than 900 kilometers away Wuhan - According to municipal reports and the testimonies of 31 resi
Cites rndgermandude · 2021-11 · on “China says it will hold supporters of Taiwan's independence responsible for life”
>Considering that Taiwan is already independent Not according to the PRC, and a lot of countries and international institutions either. Some (usually with close ties to China, but now always, e.g. Spain[1], probably because they do not want to give their own separatist movements any political ammunition) consider the ROC part of the PRC, others are deliberately vague on whether they consider Taiwan independent or even a nation, like e.g. the US[0]. The WHO for example is very adept at avoiding any position on Taiwan[2]. And then of course, there is this guy... [3]. (Just if you like some cringe about a serious topic) >China's goals of "peaceful reunification". (PR) China doesn't really talk
Critical systemvoltage · 2020-04 · on “Japan to fund firms to shift production out of China”
In addition, WHO is heavily influenced by China; here is an interview with a senior WHO official who was asked about Taiwan - he simply hangs up the phone: [this video]
Critical fermienrico · 2020-07 · on “The U.S. is withdrawing from the World Health Organization”
I don't know what the cost/benefit ratio is with WHO but as a non-expert, I found the WHO's leadership during this unprecedented times as weak, un-authoritative and frankly misguided/misinformed. Without stirring up conspiracy theories, everyone should watch this WHO official who just hangs up when they're asked about Taiwan: [this video] That makes me think that the whole organization has been bought out and sold off. But, that's just my knee-jerk reaction and a gut feeling. That said, what's there to pay to be a member? Why not just stay in there like everyone else?
Critical kop316 · 2020-07 · on “WHO says Covid-19 pandemic is 'one big wave', not seasonal”
Respectfully, I think there is a lot of mistrust in WHO is because the PRC deliberately withheld information in the 2002-2004 SARS Outbreak: [LINK] This is where the saying "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice same on me" comes into play. The below source shows the PRC covering up the COVID-19 outbreak: [LINK] I peronsally feel like the WHO should have been a lot more suspicious of the PRC and how they were reporting. However, it appeared like they took information from the PRC at face value in January, where containment could have spared much of this pandemic. Was it political? Much like someone else pointed out. [this video] A senior WHO offical praises the PRC, even after it is come out t
Critical OneGuy123 · 2020-12 · on “China is the greatest enemy to freedom – US intelligence chief”
There is a difference between war mongering and legit concerns. The "russia, russia" thingy really seems to have been just media warmongering. But China seems to be more proactive, there are many stories of Chinese briberies. The WHO seems to be owned by China: [this video] Also regarding US 2020 elections voting systems: "SEC filings: The parent company of Dominion Voting Systems received $400 million from an Investment Bank in Switzerland that is 75% owned by the Chinese government. UBS Securities is a Swiss investment bank which owns 24.99% of UBS Securities Co LTD, a Chinese Investment Bank. The remaining 75% of UBS Securities CO LTD is owned by the Chinese government,” states the report."
Critical waterhouse · 2021-02 · on “US raises ‘deep concerns’ over WHO report on Covid’s Wuhan origins”
"Senior WHO official dodges questions about Taiwan’s WHO membership; praises China": [this video] Japan's deputy prime minister calls the WHO the "Chinese Health Organization": [LINK] > are we saying that the international group that entered china were some how in league with the CCP? There may be reason to expect that they or their superiors are ... biased.