Date: July 16, 2020
MAC Press Release No. 42
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (July 16, 2020) released the Position and Response Paper on the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the "Hong Kong National Security Law"). It condemned the law for violating freedoms and rights guaranteed by the Hong Kong Basic Law and tearing up the promises of "Hong Kong governed by the Hong Kong people" and a "high degree of autonomy" for Hong Kong. The law also contradicts universal values and international obligations under relevant international regulations.
Amid such development, the government pledge to uphold national sovereignty and democratic principles as it joins the world in opposing infringement of democracy and human rights by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the false pretext of national security. In addition, the government will continue to support the Hong Kong people in their fight for freedom and democracy and provide them care and humanitarian aid. It will also do everything in its power to protect the safety of the Taiwanese people and safeguard the rights and interests of Taiwan's representative office in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong National Security Law lacks both democratic procedure and due process of law. It seriously violates democracy and human rights, affects regional security, and has unsettled and triggered concern and dissatisfaction among the international society. Controversies over the law include:
- having broadly defined offenses, lacking legal certainty, and being in violation of the principle of no punishment without law;
- asserting wide-ranging extraterritorial jurisdiction which violates the sovereignty of countries worldwide;
- deeply infringing on the freedoms of thought, speech, and media, internet freedom and natural rights;
- causing resurgence of the "extradition (to China) bill" to abet the CCP's "hostage diplomacy";
- undermining Hong Kong’s judicial independence as jurisdiction and the power of final adjudication expressly stipulated in the Basic Law faltered;
- empowering CCP national security agencies to override the Hong Kong government;
- enacting legislation without scrutiny of the Legislative Council or the broad consent of the Hong Kong people.
The law is bound to have far-reaching and profound dire consequences on Hong Kong, the international community, relations between Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as cross-Strait ties. Therefore, the government has pledged to firmly uphold its position on national sovereignty, democracy, and freedom in face of the high risk and hazards posed by the Hong Kong National Security Law. It will also continue to join the international community in supporting the Hong Kong people's fight for freedom and human rights to jointly defend universal values. Measures taken by the government are as follows:
- Closely watch developments in Hong Kong at all times and issue warnings to remind the Taiwanese public of the risks involved in travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.
- Strengthen notification mechanisms for travels to Hong Kong and Macao and underpin safety advocacy for civil servants visiting Hong Kong and Macao.
- Carry out full function of the Taiwan-Hong Kong Office for Exchanges and Services and take concrete actions to care for Hong Kong people.
- Deliberate plans to attract outstanding enterprises and talent from Hong Kong to strengthen Taiwan's development capacity.
- Maintain contact and cooperation with other countries to safeguard strategic mutual assistance for democracy.
- Urge relevant parties to jointly maintain normal exchanges between Taiwan and Hong Kong and protect the rights and interests of Taiwanese people and institutions in Hong Kong.
- Strengthen management of mainland-related personnel and capital coming into Taiwan from Hong Kong and Macao and upgrade national security response measures.
- Recognize the calculated and ill-intentioned nature of "one country, two systems" and unite the public against the political schemes of the CCP.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." In the face of the CCP's draconian law, we should further cherish our hard-won democratic way of life, be prepared for all eventualities, and commit to maintaining national sovereignty and security. Taiwan upholds universal human rights values and stands with other democracies around the world. We also hope that all freedom- and peace-loving countries will join us to support the people of Hong Kong in their fight for freedom and democracy as well as to protect security, peace, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.