Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Sunday condemned the Taiwan leadership's attempts to enter the World Health Organization (WHO), decrying the fact that the island is simply "not eligible" to join the UN agency.

Qin made the remarks when asked to comment on Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's formal application to the WHO for membership for the island.

"The WHO is a specialized UN agency, which only sovereign states may join," Qin replied.

Qin pointed out that in recent years, Taiwan had suffered setback upon setback after making many proposals to the World Health Assembly conference.

"Whatever methods the Taiwan authorities employ, their plan to use health issues to serve "Taiwan independence" activities are doomed to fail," Qin said.

Taiwan first sought observer status in the WHO 10 years ago, but has never succeeded since.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2007)