Taiwan pledges assistance to Hong Kongers who want to resettle after China imposed a national security law for Hong Kong.
"Taiwan's commitment to caring for the people of Hong Kong will not change, no matter what adjustments we make to our system," Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said in her Tweet.
Beijing approved a proposal to implement a national security law in the special administrative region. Critics consider this legislation a threat to Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy. They also note the law will give the central government in China broad powers over Hong Kong.
Pro-democracy protests sparked in Hong Kong due to a now-withdrawn extradition bill. These movements developed into bigger anti-government demonstrations calling for democracy and universal suffrage. The protests petered out during the coronavirus pandemic due to social distancing measures.
Tsai Ing-wen said on Twitter that her government will be providing assistance for Hong Kong citizens that will include “plans for their residence, placement, employment, & life in Taiwan.”
The aspirations of Hong Kong’s people for freedom and democracy should not receive bullets and repression, according to Taiwan’s president in a separate statement.
“In face of the changing situation, the international community has proactively stretched out a helping hand to Hong Kong’s people,” she wrote.
Taiwan will “even more proactively perfect and forge ahead with relevant support work, and provide Hong Kong’s people with necessary assistance”, she added.
Taiwan's reaction
Taiwan is sympathetic towards the struggle of Hong Kongers after Beijing's approval of the national security law. Major political parties in Taiwan did not accept the “one country, two systems” principle.
Beijing has been pressuring Taiwan to acknowledge and observe the framework for years, calling it a “reunification” of the two lands.
An analyst claims that Beijing is tightening its grip of Hong Kong as it is disturbed recently by the support of US for Taiwan. An example is the support given by US for Taiwan's bid to participate in an important World Health Organization event.
The US sells arms to Taiwan and patrols the Taiwan Strait where China has been building its own military drills.
China “can’t reach out and ‘touch’ Taiwan, but they certainly can (for) Hong Kong,” said Christopher Johnson, Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
China-Taiwan tension
“Taiwanese people are really worried about the Hong Kong situation,” said Kirk Yang, chairman and CEO of Kirkland Capital, a private equity firm.
“Because if the so-called ‘one country, two systems’ doesn’t work in Hong Kong, it will be difficult for the Taiwanese to accept that also,” said Taiwan-born Yang, who was previously an Asia technology analyst at Barclays Capital.
However, on Thursday, during China’s annual parliamentary session, Chinese premier Li Keqiang emphasized that Beijing “will continue to firmly oppose Taiwan independence.”
He added that “on that basis, we are ready to have dialogue and political consultation with any party in Taiwan …. (for) peaceful cross-strait negotiations and peaceful reunification of China,” according to an official English translation.
His remarks came less than a week after the Taiwanese president pledged to “engage in dialogue with China” and stated that both sides must find “a way to coexist.”
