Taiwan, Hong Kong Office Staff Withdraw... Refusal to Sign 'One China' Documents

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyung-soo] Staff members of the Taiwan government office in Hong Kong are withdrawing. It appears they have clearly conveyed their refusal to comply with the Hong Kong government's demand to sign documents recognizing the "One China" principle.

According to foreign media on the 20th, Lin Feifan (林飛帆), Deputy Secretary-General of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan, announced on Facebook that "the Hong Kong government demanded that staff of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong sign documents recognizing 'One China' as a condition for visa renewal."

Deputy Secretary-General Lin emphasized, "This is a political precondition for visa renewal, and we cannot accept it."

He added, "Staff of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong will withdraw to Taiwan, and only local staff will remain to coordinate office affairs."

Lin also stated, "Taiwan will not accept 'One China' or 'One Country, Two Systems' (一國兩制, Ilguk Yangje)."

The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's agency responsible for China relations, issued a statement saying, "Since July 2018, the Hong Kong government has imposed an unfair political condition requiring our Hong Kong office staff to sign a 'One China recognition pledge' as a condition for visa renewal."

Opened in 2011, the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office has served as a de facto embassy for the Taiwanese community and government affairs in Hong Kong. Hong Kong operated a counterpart office, the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office, in Taiwan.

As relations between China and Taiwan have deteriorated, the Hong Kong government announced on the 18th of last month that it would suspend operations of the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan.