Photo Story: Taiwan celebrates ‘zero’ coronavirus cases

Lights lit in rooms of the Taipei Grand Hotel display the word ‘ZERO’ to mark Taiwan’s reporting of no new novel coronavirus case in Taipei, Taiwan.

Several landmark buildings across Taiwan displayed words or signs since April to mark whenever there was no report of new coronavirus case in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the government has “not yet” received an invitation to take part in this month’s meeting of the World Health Organization’s decision-making body, the World Health Assembly.

However, the government will strive “until the last moment” to participate as an observer, ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said in a statement.

Taiwan’s lack of membership at the WHO, due to China’s objections which considers the island as one of its provinces, has infuriated Taipei, which says its exclusion has created a glaring gap in the global fight against the coronavirus.

Via EPA-EFE/DAVID CHANG