Beijing’s Taiwan initiative in danger of backfiring, says former envoy
- Susie Chiang Su-hui says Beijing’s picking and choosing ‘is of no use’
- Hong Kong visits by high-profile Taiwanese to culture forum stymied by visas
Beijing’s efforts to allow Taiwanese greater access to opportunities on mainland China are in danger of backfiring, according to Taiwan’s former envoy to Hong Kong.
Susie Chiang Su-hui, honorary chairwoman of the Taiwan Business Association in Hong Kong, said that if Beijing continued to pick and choose applicants based on their political affiliations and squeezed out those who do not suit Beijing, the measures would be self-defeating.
“The government has spent lots of money, which in Taiwanese eyes is of no use and may even backfire,” Chiang said.
In February, Beijing introduced measures it said were designed to give Taiwanese companies and individuals more and easier access to the mainland.
A package of 31 items relating to business matters, social and employment issues was introduced. Item 24 said: “Taiwan organisations that work for cross-strait exchanges can apply to set up foundations.”
Chiang applied to set up a foundation on the mainland in September, but the application did not succeed because there was no guidance on how the measures should work, she said.