Hong Kong leader vows to help Beijing safeguard national sovereignty after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan
- Chief Executive John Lee says visit infringes upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Tough response sparks concerns Hong Kong might follow mainland China in suspending some types of Taiwanese imports
Lee issued his damning statement just hours after Pelosi arrived in Taipei on Tuesday night, and he gathered together his top aides, including No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki, financial chief Paul Chan Mo-po and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, for a meeting on Wednesday, a portion of which was carried on his Facebook page.
“Taiwan and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are both inalienable parts of the People’s Republic of China. Pelosi’s sneak visit is an attempt to use Taiwan issues in challenging China’s sovereignty,” Lee was seen telling the officials. “It is a selfish move for her to bet on, and in contempt for the well-being of more than 20 million people in Taiwan in return for her own political interest.”
Without elaborating further, he said: “The Hong Kong government would fully support and facilitate all necessary measures by Beijing to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The mainland suspended imports from hundreds of Taiwanese food factories ahead of Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its territory and has vowed to take back by force if necessary.
While the Chief Executive’s Office said it had nothing to add when asked whether Hong Kong would follow suit and suspend Taiwanese imports, a government source said the city had to wait for any instructions from the central government.