Newly elected WHO chief reiterates one-China principle

Newly elected Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

GENEVA - Newly elected World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom on Wednesday reiterated the organization's adherence to the one-China principle.

In a meeting with Li Bin, minister of China's National Health and Family Planning Commission, Tedros said the UN agency will properly handle the Taiwan-related issues based on the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, the WHO's decision-making body.

Tedros told the Chinese minister that it was his first bilateral meeting after being elected and he will continue to lead the WHO to further cooperation with China.

Li congratulated Tedros on his election and said China is willing to continue the in-depth cooperation with the organization.

Tedros, 52, a former health minister and foreign minister of Ethiopia, will succeed Margaret Chan, whose tenure ends in June.