In a letter sent to WHO on Wednesday, Chen said the island should be admitted under the name of Taiwan - rather than as a "health entity," a term it previously used to try to claim observer status.

"Chen's move, which shows no concern for the public interests, is an attempt to boost support of his Democratic Progressive Party in the upcoming 'presidential' election," said Taiwan-based China Times in a new analysis on Friday.

That view is echoed by an official with the main opposition Kuomintang Party, who added that "Chen was deliberately provoking the mainland and creating tension between the two sides in order to win his party some sympathy votes."

Taiwan had sought observer status in the WHO over the past 10 years, but has never succeeded.