Taiwan extends welcome to people leaving Hong Kong

New Chinese security legislation has raised fears among pro-democracy Hong Kongers

Riot police stand guard a luxury goods shop in Hong Kong's Central district on May 28, 2020 amid renewed unrest over Beijing's national security legislation for the city. Bloomberg

Taiwan has offered to settle Hong Kongers who flee the Chinese-ruled city due to political reasons, offering help from employment to counselling as China pushes new security legislation that has triggered fresh protests.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen this week became the first world leader to pledge specific measures to help people from Hong Kong who may leave the former British colony due to the new legislation, a move that is certain to sour already poor ties between Taipei and Beijing.

Chen Ming-tong, head of Taiwan's top China-policy maker, the Mainland Affairs Council, told parliament the government will establish an organisation to deliver "humanitarian relief" that includes settlement and employment in a joint effort with activist groups.

He said counselling services will also be available for Hong Kongers, some of whom may take part in increasingly violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

"Many Hong Kongers want to come to Taiwan. Our goal is to give them settlement and care," Mr Chen said, urging the public not use the word "refugee" as it could be "emotionally harmful" for people from the city.

Mr Chen, however, did not give details such as scale, timing and qualification of the relief programme when pressed by legislators, saying the government was still working on the details.

Hong Kong's demonstrators have won widespread sympathy in democratic Taiwan, which China considers as its territory. Taiwan has shown no interest in being ruled by communist China.

Help for Hong Kong has won rare bipartisan support in politically polarised Taiwan and three opposition parties have introduced bills to make it easier for Hong Kongers to live in Taiwan if they have to leave the city due to political reasons.

Taiwan has no law on refugees that could be applied to protesters seeking asylum, but its laws promise to help Hong Kongers whose safety and liberty are threatened for political reasons.

Some say Ms Tsai's government is not moving fast enough.

"Please come up with details of the humanitarian relief at the soonest. Don't wait until people shed blood like water," said Chen Yu-jen, a politician from main opposition Kuomintang party.

Ivan Tang, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, welcomed President Tsai's support but cautioned a sense of urgency among protesters in the city, some of whom had been barred from entering Taiwan due to travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"They have nowhere to go... but the security law could be implemented soon," he said.

Taiwan has become a popular destination for Hong Kongers leaving the city, with the number of Hong Kong citizens granted Taiwan residency jumping 150 per cent to 2,383 in the first four months of 2020 compared with a year ago, official data show.

University applications to Taiwan from Hong Kong also rose 62 per cent in 2020 from a year ago, and island's education ministry said this week it was planning to raise the quota for Hong Kong students.