The Taiwan Parliament Group for Hong Kong was established on Friday, with DPP Legislators Huang Jie (黃捷) and Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) serving as president and vice president respectively. More than 20 other DPP legislators have also joined as members to support Hong Kong in light of the recent enactment of Article 23.
Article 23 is focused on national security and gives Hong Kong’s legislators and police more power to prosecute anyone, local or overseas, suspected of behaving or speaking against Hong Kong or China. Lawyer representation, movement, and communication may be restricted.
Hung said that it remains to be seen how the Hong Kong government will use the new law, but elaborates that is inevitable that Hong Kong society will fall into turmoil again. He states that he believes Taiwan should lend a helping hand and hopes that the Taiwan Parliament Group for Hong Kong established today will be the strongest backing to protect democratic values.
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister Lee Li-Jane (李麗珍) attended the inaugural meeting and said that though the MAC has gradually adjusted its policies to assist Hong Kong in recent years, it needs to increase its efforts. She emphasized that she hopes to assist Hong Kong people integrate into Taiwanese society through cross-ministerial and public-private partnership cooperation.