Taiwan's criticism of the 'one country, two systems' policy was rejected yesterday by a former special adviser to Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa.
Paul Yip Kwok-wah, who oversaw relations with Taiwan during Mr Tung's first five-year term, argued it was the 'one country, two systems' principle that had made people feel comfortable to take to the streets of Hong Kong on July 1.
Following the protest by 500,000 people, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian attacked the 'one country, two systems' concept, saying it had curtailed Hong Kong's political freedom and had adversely affected the economy.
Speaking at a forum on Hong Kong's future yesterday, Mr Yip - now chairman of the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute - said he disagreed that the protest had showed the principle had failed.
'I think it shows that it's a success. People believed that the 'one country, two systems' [principle] in Hong Kong was practical and therefore freely expressed their views,' he said.
Asked if Mr Tung has done enough to address people's aspirations so far, Mr Yip said: 'Now that people have expressed their aspirations, I think more should be done.'