HK suspends operations of its Taiwan office

Hong Kong, May 18: Hong Kong is temporarily shutting its representative office in Taiwan, officials said Tuesday in the latest indication of strained ties.

“The Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan) has temporarily suspended operations with effect from today,” Hong Kong’s government said in a brief statement, which did not give a reason for the closure. A government spokesperson said that the decision “has nothing to do with the Coronavirus situation” in Taiwan where cases have recently spiked and prompted the reimposition of some social distancing measures.

Asked whether the closure was tied to politics, the spokesperson declined to comment.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles relations with China, said it “deeply regrets the Hong Kong government’s unilateral decision” and vowed to keep its own office in the financial hub open despite strained ties.

Hong Kong abides by authoritarian China’s view that democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and must be seized one day, by force if necessary. Like Beijing, Hong Kong does not recognise Taiwanese authorities as legitimate.

However, there is a huge amount of trade between Hong Kong and Taiwan. According to Hong Kong’s government, Taiwan is its second-largest trading partner, its third-largest market for domestic exports, its fifth-largest market for re-exports and its second-largest source of imports.