The Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan "should reflect thoroughly" on why Taiwan has been able to take part in the World Health Assembly meetings over the past eight years but not this year, An Fengshan, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

The DPP "should not shift blame by misguiding and deceiving the people of Taiwan," An said. Rather, it should take full responsibility for the island's absence from this year's event.

When the registration closed on Monday, Taiwan was not on the list of invitees to the WHA meeting, which is set for May 22 in Geneva, Switzerland.