UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22: The UN General Assembly on Friday firmly rejected Taiwan’s bid to secure world body’s membership for the 15th straight year. It agreed to consider 163 agenda items during the annual session that began this week.

The agenda items that were approved include questions of international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, development in Africa, humanitarian assistance, justice and international law, disarmament and the fight against drugs, crime and terrorism.

It also includes many organisational and administrative matters.

Taiwan was expelled from the United Nations in 1971 in favour of China. Its latest bid to gain re-entry foundered after an overwhelming majority of member countries spoke against it in an argument that lasted most of the day.