Taiwan gears up to welcome Hong Kong people leaving their city. As China tightens its grip on the island, Taiwan opens its doors to Hong Kongers.
Taiwan does not have enough experience handling refugees, but it is preparing and making sure that no Chinese spies would join the influx.
“Hong Kong no doubt is a priority for Tsai,” a senior government official familiar with the president’s principle revealed to Reuters. The official also said that the government of Taiwan was allocating resources to welcome Hong Kong people.
Taiwan's plan covers a monthly allowance for living and rent and shelter for those who need shelter, according to another source with direct knowledge of the preparations.
Around 200 Hong Kongers left for Taiwan since demonstrations emerged last year. Meanwhile, around 10% have been given visas under a law that offers protection for Hong Kong people who are at risk for political reasons, said Shih Yi-hsiang of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights.
Granting visas
“This is a very complicated scenario that Taiwan government has never dealt with,” according to the second source. “We didn’t think such things would happen in Hong Kong even in our dreams.
Moreover, Reuters' source revealed that the Taiwan government panel that includes security officials would review applications and grant visas allowing Hong Kong people to work or study in Taiwan.
Shih pointed out that the government is in need of experts in areas from case management to counselling.
Meanwhile, a senior Taipei-based Western diplomat pointed out that Taiwan was most likely to receive the most radical protesters and the less privileged. This is because those with enough resources would likely choose to go to countries such as Canada or Britain.
National security law
Hong Kongers are fleeing to Taiwan because China will implement a new national security law in the region after a series of anti-government protests in the country.
This political move suggests Beijing will have more control over Hong Kong. However, more pro-democracy protests may ensue.
The draft legislation was introduced during the annual session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC).
The legislation aims to boost Beijing’s control over Hong Kong, which was a former British colony that returned to Chinese governance in 1997. Hong Kong is reportedly acting under the “one country, two systems” principle. This provides Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy.
“Beijing has finally come to the end of its rope in watching the Hong Kong government not really be able to manage effectively the democracy activists,” said Elizabeth Economy, C.V. Starr senior fellow and director for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
“And I think it’s hard. They look and they see this Hong Kong with millions of residents demonstrating in the streets for democracy; what kind of message does that send to the 1.3 billion other Chinese on the mainland?” she said during an interview with CNBC.
“This is the end of ‘One Country Two Systems,’ make no mistake about it,” said Dennis Kwok, a democratic lawmaker in Hong Kong.
