TAIPEI, May 27, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on
Wednesday pledged a humanitarian “action plan” for Hong Kongers
pushing for democracy in the financial hub as an influx of activists
seek sanctuary on the self-ruled democratic island.
Hong Kong was upended by months of often violent pro-democracy
protests last year sparked by rising fears that Beijing is chipping
away at the city’s freedoms.
Unrest has returned in recent days after Beijing announced plans
last week to impose a sweeping national security law in response to
the protests, a move that has alarmed many western governments and
Taiwan.
Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has vowed to one day
seize it, by force if necessary.
Its leadership loathes Tsai because she regards the island as a de
facto independent state and not part of “one China”.
Speaking about the new security law plans, Tsai urged Beijing to
“rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice” and said her
administration would continue to offer assistance to Hong Kongers
seeking to relocate.
“Our determination to look after Hong Kongers has remained
unchanged,” she told reporters.
“The cabinet will come up with a Hong Kong humanitarian assistance
action plan… to provide complete planning for Hong Kong people’s
residency, accommodation and care.”
Tsai said the office that deals with Chinese affairs — the Mainland
Affairs Council — would be tasked with drafting the plans.
Last year over 5,000 Hong Kongers moved to Taiwan, up 41 percent
from a year earlier, some of them fleeing prosecution over the
protests or seeking a new life in one of Asia’s most progressive
democracies.
Tsai’s comments came as rights groups urged her government to enact
a refugee law to help Hong Kong protesters fleeing to the island.
Taiwan does not recognise the legal concept of asylum or accept
refugee applications, fearful of a potential influx from the
authoritarian mainland.
But Hong Kongers can apply to live on the island through a variety
of means, including investment visas.
Taiwanese law also stipulates unspecified “necessary assistance” for
Hong Kong and Macau residents whose safety and freedom are in urgent
danger due to political reasons.
Taiwan-based rights group Hong Kong Outlanders urged Tsai’s
government to set up a clear asylum system soon at a press conference
on Wednesday.
“The national security law will have devastating effects on Hong
Kong and we expect a large number of Hong Kong protesters to come to
Taiwan to seek help when the pandemic eases,” said Kuma Yung, a
spokesman for the group.