[Global Issue+] Taiwanese Migrants in Hong Kong Who Became Refugees, Not Refugees

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Due to the Chinese government's enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the number of Hong Kong residents trying to escape Hong Kong is increasing. Immigration applications have reportedly surged since the end of last month. In particular, the number of Hong Kong residents wishing to go to Taiwan is said to be overwhelming.

The Taiwanese government has also expressed a proactive stance in accepting Hong Kong residents. According to Taiwan's China Times on the 30th of last month, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen stated at a press conference regarding the unanimous passage of the Hong Kong Security Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) that "It is very disappointing that China broke its promise that Hong Kong would remain unchanged for 50 years after the handover," and added, "The Taiwan-Hong Kong Service and Exchange Office will be launched to support Hong Kong residents who wish to migrate to Taiwan."

Earlier, the Mainland Affairs Council, the Taiwanese agency responsible for China-related matters, also announced active support for Hong Kong immigration measures and emphasized that Hong Kong residents should not be called 'refugees.' Chen Ming-tong, Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, said in an interview with the Taipei Times, "Hong Kong residents should not be called refugees. This term is not included in the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Ordinance, which establishes relations between Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao, and it could be perceived as derogatory." According to the ordinance and Taiwanese law, Hong Kong residents are considered Taiwanese nationals, so immigration should be accepted under the framework of domestic citizen protection rather than overseas refugee assistance.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In fact, Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, still defines all Chinese people within the entire territory of China as its nationals under its constitution, and the territory controlled by the People's Republic of China is classified as an un-recovered area. This is the same situation as South Korea classifying North Korea as an un-recovered area and North Korean residents as South Korean nationals. When Hong Kong was handed over in 1997, the Taiwanese government claimed that it was the rightful recipient of the territory, but this was ignored by the great powers.

Initially, the feelings of Hong Kong residents toward Taiwan were delicate. During British colonial rule, both China and Taiwan were considered 'foreign countries' by Hong Kong residents, but relations soured when the Taiwanese government treated Hong Kong residents staying in Taiwan as nationals and demanded military service. Hong Kong residents who stayed in Taiwan for more than six months received conscription notices. As a result, it was very rare for Hong Kong people to stay in Taiwan for more than six months. However, at the time of the 1997 Hong Kong handover, many Hong Kong residents wanted to be handed over to the Taiwanese government rather than China, and there was strong public opinion that this should be decided by a referendum, but this was frustrated when the UK unilaterally signed the handover agreement with China.

Public opinion within Taiwan is also complex. There are still many pro-China factions in Taiwan who hope for closer cross-strait relations, and amid the serious COVID-19 pandemic and economic problems, there remains resistance to accepting Hong Kong residents. Some people do not want the Taiwanese government to accept Hong Kong residents and thereby increase military tensions between Taiwan and China.

There are also many concerns that Taiwan could become a battleground for military confrontation between China and the West. When the UK handed over Hong Kong, the Sino-British Joint Declaration included provisions allowing strong sanctions against China if the "one country, two systems" principle was not properly observed, including possible military intervention. The likelihood of the UK, together with the US and other Western allies, engaging in localized conflicts with China in Hong Kong and the South China Sea has increased. The Chinese government is also taking a very hardline stance, raising ongoing concerns about potential military clashes in the future.