[ad_1]
Hong Kong’s security chief has doubled down on his calls for Taiwan to hand over five detained residents who allegedly fled to the autonomous island in an asylum offer, as his prime minister said his government hoped to offer substantial aid to people in need. .
Security Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu also revealed that his side had yet to receive information from the Taiwanese authorities on the condition of the individuals.
“We also did not receive any requests for assistance from their families,” he wrote on his official blog on Monday.
Get the latest insights and analysis from our global impact newsletter on the great stories originating in China.
The group’s arrest was confirmed Sunday by Taiwan’s semi-official central news agency, which cited an unidentified source.
Security Secretary John Lee has urged Taiwan to shoulder its responsibility in fighting cross-border crime. Photo: Nora Tam
At least two faced charges for riots stemming from anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year, he said, although the identities of the five have not been confirmed. The Security Office first requested his return two weeks ago.
Lee again called on Taiwan to take responsibility for fighting cross-border crime.
“If you are suspected of having committed crimes in Hong Kong, do not protect the criminals,” he wrote. “We hope that Taiwan will return them … after going through legitimate procedures, so that Hong Kong will handle them in accordance with the law.”
Hong Kong steps up maritime patrols amid reports of activists intercepted at sea
According to Hong Kong authorities, dozens of protesters have fled to Taiwan, but there is no extradition treaty between the two jurisdictions. Hong Kong cited the lack of a formal agreement to launch the ill-fated extradition bill last year that sparked months of social unrest. The introduction of the national security law targeting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, along with its reach in other jurisdictions, has further complicated ties between the two governments.
“[The suspects] they should calmly face their legal responsibilities, ”Lee wrote. “It would be much better than enduring the seal of having fled for the rest of their lives in fear.”
Other jurisdictions should not interfere with the city’s law enforcement efforts, he said, adding that the police had made inquiries with their Taiwanese counterparts on the matter.
When Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang was asked on Monday whether his government would return all five, he declined to comment on specific cases, but said he hoped to provide substantial assistance to people in need.
“The government and people from all walks of life care about Hong Kong and its people,” Su said. “[We] they also established a dedicated agency and allocated special funds, hoping to offer help to Hong Kong residents in need. “
Taiwan said in June that it would establish an office dedicated to assisting city residents who wanted to apply for asylum on the island for fear of prosecution at home for their alleged involvement in anti-government protests. The new office would be funded by the government and would work with civil and human rights groups to help people with problems of residence, settlement, employment and protection, in addition to providing them with a basic allowance for life.
Taiwanese journalist Edd Jhong previously said that he had been trying to help the five of them reach the island. Photo: Facebook
The Central News Agency reported late Sunday that the five had “basic rights, including access to lawyers,” citing an unidentified source.
The Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council, the government body responsible for cross-strait, Hong Kong and Macao affairs, said Taipei will provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in accordance with established mechanisms.
“Regarding the conjecture that is circulating, we believe that it could serve specific purposes, harming the whole mechanism and the people,” the council said.
Taiwanese journalist Edd Jhong, who previously said he had been trying to help the five get to the island, called on Hong Kong protesters to avoid making such asylum offers on Sunday.
Jhong urged the council “not to provoke anyone who expected to help” with such offers while keeping their promises of assistance.
Why does Taiwan treat fleeing Hong Kong activists as illegal immigrants after inciting them?
Hong Kong Outlanders, a civic group established by city residents in Taiwan, also asked people to refrain from republishing, responding to or commenting on any information on the details of how residents fled to the island.
“Any description of the relief organizations, routes and processes of their escape will bring unnecessary danger to the people of Hong Kong who are staying here now, under national security law,” he said on his Facebook page.
A Taiwanese resident who participated in assisting Hong Kong asylum seekers in recent months said his government preferred to keep their involvement out of the limelight.
“It will not benefit anyone if it becomes a diplomatic dispute,” he said, requesting anonymity.
This Hong Kong article increases pressure on Taiwan by five residents detained in an alleged asylum offer, as the island’s prime minister offers help to anyone in need first appeared in the South China Morning Post
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post, download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
