HONG KONG / TAIPEI (Reuters) – The Hong Kong government said Tuesday that Taiwan had rejected the visas of two of its officials, underscoring mounting bilateral tensions after Taipei criticized a security law imposed by Beijing on the financial center.
The two officials from the Hong Kong Economic, Commercial and Cultural Office (HKETCO) returned home after their residence permits in Taiwan were rejected, the government’s Office of Constitutional and Continental Affairs said.
He declined to specify whether the visas were existing or documents related to new applications.
Taiwan’s Chinese Policy The Continental Council refused to confirm the visa denials, but said Taiwan should react accordingly to “defend the dignity of the nation” on the basis of equal and bilateral considerations, following “unreasonable limitations “established by the Hong Kong authorities.
He did not elaborate on a written response to Reuters.
The acting head of Taiwan’s de facto consulate in Hong Kong returned to Taiwan on Thursday after refusing to sign a document supporting Beijing’s claim on the island under his “one China” policy as a condition of visa renewal.
A senior Taiwan official told Reuters on Friday that Taiwanese officials in Hong Kong were told that their visas will not be renewed unless they sign the document.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of a single China and has never given up on the option of using force to bring the island under its control.
Beijing’s Hong Kong law, which went into effect last month, punishes what China broadly defines as subversion or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. He has been widely condemned abroad.
According to the Hong Kong media, HKETCO had 13 staff positions in Taiwan. It was unclear which two staff members had left.
The Office said that its work to promote economic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan was ongoing and had not been “seriously affected at this time” by visa refusals.
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