New Zealand still supports Taiwan at WHO despite Chinese rebuke

FILE PHOTO: China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Beijing, China, May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool/File Photo

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's foreign minister on Tuesday said the country has to stand up for itself after China warned its backing of Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization (WHO) could damage bilateral ties.

Taiwan, with the strong support of the United States, has stepped up its lobbying to be allowed to take part as an observer at next week's World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO's decision-making body - a move which has angered China.