The People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s suppression of the rule of law and human rights in Hong Kong confirms the failure and infeasibility of “one country, two systems” framework and lays bare the designs of such authoritarian system on democratic Taiwan. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) calls on all democratic nations to continue to speak out in support of the people of Hong Kong in their fight for human rights and freedom; to work together to uphold liberty, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and to support the people of Taiwan as they defend their democracy and their right to determine their own future.

Recently, the Hong Kong government’s attempt to push through amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance aroused the uncontainable opposition of millions of local people, and dozens of protesters were injured by the Hong Kong police who forcibly dispersed the mass. The Hong Kong government claimed that it would suspend the legislative process of amending the controversial Ordinance and had no timetable to restart that process as yet.

However, these claims failed to address the strong objections of the people of Hong Kong. Their ongoing protests against the amendments to the Ordinance have drawn intense international attention. The governments of Australia, the European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all expressed concern and support for the people of Hong Kong in their fight for human rights and freedom.

Taiwan’s position on this matter includes the following points:

1. People have the right to seek democracy and freedom, as well as the right to choose their way of life and the systems under which they live. As a beacon of democracy and a stronghold of freedom in Asia, Taiwan will always safeguard and support these values, and will continue to stand resolutely together with the people of Hong Kong in their pursuit of freedom and democracy.

2. “One country, two systems” framework is not feasible, and democratic Taiwan will never accept it. The protests in Hong Kong against the draft extradition bill, or the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendments, show that its people have no faith whatsoever in “one country, two systems” framework. In remembrance, on January 2 this year, PRC President Xi Jinping called for a “one country, two systems” model for Taiwan. As a consequence of Hong Kong people’s democratic fight, Taiwan will never accept such an arrangement and will resolutely defend its sovereignty, democracy, freedom, and right to determine its own future.

3. All governments should be aware that the rights of their citizens may be affected by the passage of the draft extradition bill. As the US State Department has said, the passage of these amendments would damage Hong Kong’s business environment, and could further subject US citizens to the whims of the PRC’s criticized judicial system. In addition, by allowing extradition to the PRC, the bill would affect not only the people of Hong Kong, but also Taiwanese and all other foreign nationals, who could be extradited to the PRC while transiting through any airports, seaports etc. in Hong Kong and therefore be subjected to judicial proceedings on the basis of a unilateral determination by the PRC of the suspected criminal activity.

4. A democratic, prosperous and stable Hong Kong is in the interests of the people of Hong Kong, the region, and the world. Following Hong Kong’s handover in 1997, the PRC has tried endlessly to undermine the Special Administrative Region’s freedom, human rights, and rule of law, damaging its stability and prosperity. The PRC’s intrusion runs against the interests of the people of Hong Kong, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world.

5. Taiwan will not accept the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendments and its similar bill that may infringe upon human rights and the sovereignty of the ROC, and will not be party to an illegitimate law. Taiwan believes that cooperation to combat crime cannot come at the expense of sabotaging human rights. Taiwan calls on the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to listen carefully and seriously to the demands of the protesters, strengthen dialogue with the people, and respect the basic right of its people to peacefully assemble.

Appendix A: “One country, two systems” not viable: President Tsai

Appendix B: “The world must not ignore China’s threat to Taiwan” by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu