Taiwan to ‘transform’ Hong Kong offices into ‘one line of China | Another Story

Taiwan says Hong Kong wants Taiwanese officials to sign a ‘China Commitment Letter’ to get a work visa.

The Taiwanese government says it will “change” the management of its Hong Kong office after authorities ordered Taiwan officials to sign a memorandum of understanding with Beijing’s proposal in Taiwan under Chinese rule.

Hong Kong, which is controlled by China, has once again become embroiled in a dispute between Taipei and Beijing, especially after Taiwan issued a security order issued by China to Hong Kong and began accepting non-Hong Kong allies on the island.

In a statement on Sunday, the Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan said that since July 2018 the Hong Kong government has “repeatedly established the political conditions of working visas for our Hong Kong office, requiring them to sign a ‘China Commitment Letter'”.

This has prevented office workers from being present or starting their jobs, he added.

“As of June 21, the Hong Kong office will change the way it operates,” the council added, without elaborating, although the office continued with “essential duties”.

Workers in Taiwan will not sign a letter like “China”, it said.

China sees the democratically elected nation of Taiwan as part of a “one China” state and has not refused to use force to enforce the rule.

Last month, Hong Kong suspended operations at its embassy in Taiwan, accusing Taipei of “serious” lack of internal affairs, including its request for help from “violent” protesters, which Taiwan has rejected.

The Macau government followed suit on Wednesday, saying it would suspend operations at its office in Taiwan.