Taiwan warns citizens of risk in visiting HK after China passes security law
Taiwan on Tuesday warned its citizens of the risk of visiting Hong Kong after China's parliament passed national security legislation for the city while Taiwan's president said she was disappointed about the law.
The security legislation imposed on Hong Kong sets the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago.
The new law would "severely impact" freedom, democracy, and human rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan's cabinet said in a statement. It added that the democratic island would...
Taiwan on Tuesday warned its citizens of the risk of visiting Hong Kong after China's parliament passed national security legislation for the city while Taiwan's president said she was disappointed about the law.
The security legislation imposed on Hong Kong sets the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago.
The new law would "severely impact" freedom, democracy, and human rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan's cabinet said in a statement. It added that the democratic island would still continue to offer help to Hong Kong people.
"The move severely impacts Hong Kong society's freedom, human rights, and stability. The government strongly condemns it and reiterates its support for the people of Hong Kong as they strive for democracy and freedom," cabinet spokesman Evian Ting said.
Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong had repeatedly said the legislation was aimed at a few "troublemakers" in Hong Kong and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.
Nevertheless, Ting warned Taiwanese of "possible risks" when visiting Hong Kong in light of the legislation. He did not elaborate.
Months of anti-government, pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last year won widespread sympathy in democratic and Chinese-claimed Taiwan, which had welcomed people from Hong Kong who moved to the island and expected more to come.
President Tsai Ing-wen, who in May became the first government leader anywhere to pledge measures to help Hong Kong people who leave due to what they see as tightening Chinese controls, said she was "very disappointed" by China's imposition of the law.
"We hope Hong Kong people continue to adhere to the freedom, democracy, and human rights that they cherish," she told reporters.
Taiwan is set to launch on Wednesday a dedicated office to help those thinking of fleeing Hong Kong. July 1 is also the anniversary of the day the city returned to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997 with the promise of wide-ranging freedoms under a "one country, two systems" formula.
Tsai said the legislation proved that the formula "was not feasible" and that Taiwan would provide "concrete" humanitarian assistance to migrants from Hong Kong.
- Reuters
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