TAIPEI (Taiwan News) - Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) lodged a strong protest Tuesday against China’s move to block Taiwan from participating in the upcoming WHA meeting.

The 70th World Health Assembly that will take place in Geneva between May 22 and May 31 closed its online registration on May 8, but Taiwan has been left behind and failed to receive an official invitation.

In a statement released Tuesday, the council denounced Beijing’s act of pressuring the World Health Organization (WHO) and refraining it from extending an invitation to Taiwan to attend this year's WHA meeting.

The statement expressed “strong regret and discontent” over China’s suppression of Taiwan’s international participation, warning that the latest incident could lead to a further worsening of cross-strait relations.

Beijing’s unilateral action has defeated the purpose of the organization, while the rights and interests of Taiwan's 23 million people have been slighted by such action, the statement said.

The government will not give up its effort to ensure the best interests of the nation on this regard, the statement said, while urging the Chinese government not to underestimate the collective opinion of the people of Taiwan, which could lead to "irreversible damage” to ties, the council said.