Pro-independence activists in Taiwan and Hong Kong colluded to stir trouble, says Beijing
Beijing warns Taiwan not to interfere in ‘one country, two systems’ in Hong Kong
Advocates for Taiwan independence colluded with pro-independence activists in Hong Kong to stir up controversy in the city, Beijing said on Wednesday as it warned Taiwan not to interfere in the implementation of “one country, two systems”.
Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, was speaking at a press briefing when he was asked to comment on the saga over a draft letter written by Hong Kong’s disqualified pro-independence lawmaker Yau Wai-ching to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
“Hong Kong independence activists and Taiwan independence forces have colluded in an attempt to stir up trouble in Hong Kong,” Ma said. “People on both sides of the strait, especially Hong Kong compatriots, should be on high alert.”
Beijing’s warning comes a week after Taiwanese Chinese-language daily Liberty Times published a letter Yau drafted to call for Tsai’s support. The letter urged Tsai to qualify Taiwan’s stance on the sovereignty of Hong Kong’s New Territories.
Yau has since apologised for causing a misunderstanding over the matter, saying she had planned to write to Tsai, but that her draft was rejected by her party, Youngspiration.
At the press briefing on Wednesday, Ma said the disqualified Hong Kong lawmakers went against the city’s mainstream opinion and Hong Kong people’s fundamental interests.
The real intention behind Taiwan’s support for them was dubious, he said.
The lawmakers – Yau and Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang – had been disqualified from the Legislative Council for “declining” to take their oaths, according to a ruling made by Hong Kong’s High Court.
The duo were deemed to have declined to take their oaths by pledging allegiance to the “Hong Kong nation” and insulting China at their swearing-in ceremony in October.
“We suggest Taiwan keep a distance from Hong Kong affairs and not disrupt the implementation of “one country, two systems” and disrupt the peace in Hong Kong,” Ma said.
