Tsai Ing-wen says ‘friends from Hong Kong’ will be considered for asylum on humanitarian grounds
- Taiwanese president makes first acknowledgement of reports that Hong Kong protesters are fleeing to the island
- Act Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau allows Taiwan to assist where safety and liberty are threatened for political reasons, but it is not party to UN Refugee Convention
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has acknowledged for the first time claims that Hong Kong protesters are fleeing to the self-ruled island and said it would consider any applications to seek shelter there on humanitarian grounds.
“I believe relevant departments are keeping abreast of the situation,” Tsai was quoted as saying by Taiwan’s Central News Agency in a media briefing in Saint Lucia on day two of her tour of the Caribbean.
“These friends from Hong Kong will be treated in an appropriate way on humanitarian grounds.”
Radio Free Asia reported on Thursday that about 10 Hong Kong protesters had arrived in Taiwan. Apple Daily said about 30 had arrived on the island and 30 more were planning to follow.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council played down the reports on Thursday. Without saying whether it was in contact with alleged protesters or how many were in Taiwan, the council said that if Taiwan received applications from Hong Kong residents for political asylum, government agencies would handle them according to the law, based on the principle of protecting human rights and regulations regarding Hong Kong and Macau affairs.