A group of Hong Kongers living in Taiwan is asking Taiwan’s government to give them shelter.
They held a press conference on Wednesday, a day before China passed a national security law that critics say will threaten freedom and democracy in the former British colony. During this press conference, they urged Taiwan’s government to continue its support for Hong Kong.
Hong Kongers in Taiwan are watching developments back home with concern. On Wednesday, with Beijing poised to pass a national security law governing Hong Kong, they gathered, chanting slogan and holding placards that read “The national security law will destroy Hong Kong; Taiwan must provide shelter right away.”
A spokesperson for one group representing Hong Kongers in Taiwan says she is deeply concerned about China’s proposed law. But other Hong Kongers at the gathering are already beyond concern.
One of them, who goes by Kuma, describes Hong Kong as a “battlefield”, and said the situation there will have global repercussions.
Another, Hisaolin, says she hopes Taiwan will help get Hong Kongers out by letting them emigrate here.
For Academic Sinica researcher Wu Rwei-ren, who was also at the gathering, Taiwan and Hong Kong are interlinked. Wu says Taiwan should therefore help Hong Kong, because by doing so, Taiwan will be helping itself.