Hong Kong’s sole government presence in Taiwan, an office for economic and cultural exchanges, symbolised closeness of ties. But relations are determined by Beijing and its displeasure with the island’s leader, Tsai Ing-wen, is bound to factor into links. Her refusal to acknowledge the 1992 consensus that there is only one China and moving ever closer to the United States are provocations that require a resolute response. The closure of the facility should therefore be less of a surprise than a barometer of how bad the cross-strait relationship has become. The main role of the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office was to promote business and cultural interaction with Taiwan. It was opened in 2011 at a time of warm relations between Taipei and Beijing. A counterpart Taiwanese office that serves as a de facto consulate was opened in Hong Kong and there are now worries in Taiwan that it will be forced to close. Taipei last week accused Hong Kong of refusing to renew work permits for eight Taiwanese staff, prompting concern that they may have to leave at the end of the year. Its chief representative, appointed in 2018, has not been given a visa. Hong Kong closes Taiwan office in latest sign of worsening ties Taiwan is Hong Kong’s second-biggest trading partner and Hong Kong is Taiwan’s fourth-largest. Hong Kong is also important for trade between Taiwan and the mainland, much of which consists of electronic parts and appliances. But the value of the Hong Kong office in Taiwan to business is impossible to put a number on and its worth to ties is difficult to quantify. Its closure and return of four Hong Kong staff are likely to have more a symbolic than material impact. The closure was described by the Hong Kong’s government as temporary and there is no reason to doubt that; the office can be reopened at any time when relations across the Taiwan Strait improve. There is a chance Taipei will use the announcement for political gain or even prompt it to also shut its Hong Kong office. In the present circumstances, with economies hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and Washington’s rivalry with Beijing likely to heighten, there is little possibility of significant trade development between Hong Kong and Taiwan. There can be a reversal only if Tsai sees the error of her ways and changes course.