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Taiwan shows growing support for Hong Kong protests Taiwan shows growing support for Hong Kong protests
(35 minutes later)
As people around the world anxiously follow the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, perhaps one audience is watching more closely than the rest. As people around the world anxiously follow the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, one audience is perhaps watching more closely than the rest.
Residents of democratic, self-governing Taiwan have expressed solidarity with Chinese protesters, not least because Beijing yearns for the island to “reunite” with the mainland under the same arrangement that has polarised the southern city. Many Taiwanese look at the demonstrations, and see an alternate future for themselves.Residents of democratic, self-governing Taiwan have expressed solidarity with Chinese protesters, not least because Beijing yearns for the island to “reunite” with the mainland under the same arrangement that has polarised the southern city. Many Taiwanese look at the demonstrations, and see an alternate future for themselves.
Taiwanese broadcasters have been running near-constant footage of the protests since they began over the weekend, and hundreds of supporters have gathered in Taipei for solidarity demonstrations.Taiwanese broadcasters have been running near-constant footage of the protests since they began over the weekend, and hundreds of supporters have gathered in Taipei for solidarity demonstrations.
“Taiwan is a free, democratic society, and we hope that this can slowly influence China, and someday result in democratic reform,” said Chen Yaw-shyang, an assistant professor at National Taipei University. “So what’s happening in Hong Kong is extremely important — if the protesters are not successful, and they don’t achieve universal suffrage, then that would be a terrible thing for democratic development on the mainland.”
Hong Kong exchange students in Taiwan have reportedly bought tickets home to participate in the protests.Hong Kong exchange students in Taiwan have reportedly bought tickets home to participate in the protests.
“This is a critical moment for Hong Kong. We understand the danger, but we have no time to fear. Fighting for our freedom is the only way out of this mess,” Clementine Ho, a graduate student from Hong Kong studying at National Chengchi University, told the Wall Street Journal.“This is a critical moment for Hong Kong. We understand the danger, but we have no time to fear. Fighting for our freedom is the only way out of this mess,” Clementine Ho, a graduate student from Hong Kong studying at National Chengchi University, told the Wall Street Journal.
Taiwan, a thriving democracy of 23 million people, has been self-governed since China’s nationalist army fled there 65 years ago to escape a communist victory on the mainland. Yet Beijing still believes in a “one China” principle, and considers the island a renegade province. Although Taiwan-mainland trade ties have warmed significantly in recent years – China is by far the island’s largest export market – the relationship remains rife with mistrust.Taiwan, a thriving democracy of 23 million people, has been self-governed since China’s nationalist army fled there 65 years ago to escape a communist victory on the mainland. Yet Beijing still believes in a “one China” principle, and considers the island a renegade province. Although Taiwan-mainland trade ties have warmed significantly in recent years – China is by far the island’s largest export market – the relationship remains rife with mistrust.
In March, the student-led Sunflower Movement mobilised thousands of people to occupy the island’s legislature to protest against the government’s handling of a proposed cross-straits trade pact. Critics said that the tie-up, despite its economic perks, would give Beijing undue influence over the island’s affairs.In March, the student-led Sunflower Movement mobilised thousands of people to occupy the island’s legislature to protest against the government’s handling of a proposed cross-straits trade pact. Critics said that the tie-up, despite its economic perks, would give Beijing undue influence over the island’s affairs.
On Sunday, the Sunflower leader, Chen Weiting, gathered about a hundred people outside Hong Kong’s trade office in the Taiwan capital, Taipei, to demand that the government end high-level cross-strait talks. “We can’t tolerate any more economic or political dealings between Taiwan and China,” Chen said.On Sunday, the Sunflower leader, Chen Weiting, gathered about a hundred people outside Hong Kong’s trade office in the Taiwan capital, Taipei, to demand that the government end high-level cross-strait talks. “We can’t tolerate any more economic or political dealings between Taiwan and China,” Chen said.
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, told a visiting Taiwanese delegation on Friday that a one country, two systems framework would be the best way to mend Taiwan-mainland ties.The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, told a visiting Taiwanese delegation on Friday that a one country, two systems framework would be the best way to mend Taiwan-mainland ties.
Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, said the island would never accept the arrangement, and expressed support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, said the island would never accept the arrangement, and expressed support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
“In the early 1980s the one country, two systems concept was created for Taiwan, not for Hong Kong. But Taiwan has sent a clear message that we do not accept the concept,” Ma told Al-Jazeera on Monday. “If the system is good, then we believe it should be one country, one system.”“In the early 1980s the one country, two systems concept was created for Taiwan, not for Hong Kong. But Taiwan has sent a clear message that we do not accept the concept,” Ma told Al-Jazeera on Monday. “If the system is good, then we believe it should be one country, one system.”