China barred Taiwan from participating in the World Health Assembly to punish its elected government for “obstinately” resisting Beijing’s efforts to assert control over the island democracy, a senior Chinese diplomat acknowledged.

“The Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations, including [the World Health Organization], must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters Monday. “China cannot agree to the Taiwan region’s participation in this year’s WHA.”