The Hong Kong government today suddenly announced that the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan will temporarily suspend its operation from today (May 18).
The Hong Kong government announced today (May 18) that the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (equivalent to a consulate) in Taiwan will temporarily suspend its operations with immediate effect. A spokesman for the Hong Kong government said the arrangement was not related to the rising COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan, although the real reason for the closure of the office was not stated. The Taiwan legislators criticized the Hong Kong government’s move, saying that it was irresponsible to close the office without prior notice and that it was tantamount to abandoning Hong Kong people in Taiwan. Hong Kong people are worried that the threshold for working in Taiwan or coming to Taiwan will be raised in the future.
The Hong Kong government suddenly announced on its official website at 12:00 noon today: “The Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan) (HKETCO) will temporarily cease operation from today (May 18). During the temporary suspension of the operation of the HKETCO, the HKSAR Government will continue to handle general inquiries, requests for assistance from Hong Kong residents in Taiwan, and provide Hong Kong-related information to Taiwan residents through the 1823 and 1868 hotlines and the GovHK website.”
The Hong Kong government announced today (18) without warning that the operation of the Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan will be suspended as of today (Photo credit: via the Hong Kong government website)
The Taiwan Land Commission responded that it was “very regrettable”, but in order to take into account the welfare of the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong, and to protect the rights and interests of the people in Hong Kong, the Taiwan office in Hong Kong will remain at their posts and continue to operate to provide services related to the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The government of the Republic of China has not been informed of this decision, the Democratic Progressive Party legislator Luo Zhi Zheng blasted the Hong Kong government is very irresponsible, it is a disguised abandonment of Hong Kong people, abandoning the people of Taiwan in the face of, is to punish their own people. He also expressed concern that Hong Kong people in Taiwan might be reduced to a human ball.
He said that it is obvious that this is a political decision, regardless of the reasons for closing the office, it is a very irresponsible decision that sacrifices the rights of Hong Kong people. He believes that the government of the Republic of China will do its best to take care of and assist the needs of Hong Kong people in Taiwan, and the Taiwan office in Hong Kong will continue to do its best to maintain its operation and protect the rights and interests of Hong Kong people in Taiwan and Hong Kong people in Hong Kong.
The president of the Hong Kong Friendship League of the Taiwan Parliament and non-party member of the legislature, Mr. Chang-zo Lin, also criticized that the Hong Kong government should make it clear that it has nothing to do with the epidemic, but what exactly is the reason? The Hong Kong government is now making such a surprising political move, which makes people worry that the situation in Hong Kong will develop in a more negative direction in the future.
Amy, a Hong Kong resident who has been working in Taiwan for many years, told Apple Daily that many of her friends around her have sought assistance from the Hong Kong Office in Taiwan, and they are worried that the deterioration of relations between Taiwan and Hong Kong will raise the threshold for obtaining a work visa or immigration next, further restricting Hong Kong people from coming to Taiwan.
Lin Rongji, the head of Causeway Bay Bookstore, said he thinks the Hong Kong government’s move is because in the past, the Republic of China government provided assistance to Hong Kong people who were suppressed by Hong Kong, and also allowed Hong Kong students to study in Taiwan. Beijing authorities believe that Taiwan supports and helps people who resist the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government, and deliberately wants to separate this supportive relationship, breaking Hong Kong people with Taiwan and not allowing them to have contact.
Recent Comments