WASHINGTON -- If the infectious disease SARS breaks out around the globe, it most likely will come from China, the world's most populous state with a primitive health-care system and vast rural population. And if severe acute respiratory syndrome spreads from China, the cause will be the Chinese government's long refusal to deal honestly with a serious problem that swiftly turned into a deadly crisis.
After unconscionable delay, Beijing has acknowledged the severity the epidemic and dismissed a number of officials for mishandling the issue. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao stated at the recent meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Bangkok: "The Chinese government is here in a spirit of candor, responsibility, trust and cooperation."
Fine words, but China continues to oppose an important step that would help combat SARS and other threats to human health: allowing Taiwan observer status at the World Health Organization.