Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu, at a meeting with over 150 members of Academia Sinica, said that Hong Kong residents, having watched their economy regress, their real estate drop in value and their unemployment rate skyrocket, have not been pleased since British colonial rule ended in 1997.
In addition to the deterioration of the quality of life, Lu noted that the population's identification with the Chinese government had dropped since China's takeover.
"A survey done last year showed that only 22 percent of Hong Kong's people consider themselves Chinese, down from the previous 30 percent. This result best reflects the public feeling of [Hong Kong's population]" Lu said, adding that the figure also served as a warning to the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Ever since the handover, Beijing has sought to persuade Taipei to accept the "one country, two systems" formula, arguing that Hong Kong's prosperity was the best demonstration of the formula's success.
"Yes, Hong Kong's people continue to dance and bet on the horses. But in reality, they are not happy," she said, mocking Beijing's claim before the handover that lifestyles in the territory would remain the same under its administration.
Despite Beijing's promise that Hong Kong would remain an open society with a vibrant market economy, the territory is facing a crisis of confidence after being hit by two recessions in four years.
Having sought to replace "one China" with "one Chinese," Lu said the greater China region could be categorized into "political Chinese," "economic Chinese" and "cultural Chinese."
While the PRC and the ROC represent different political entities, "economic Chinese" refers to the market formed by Chinese living in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, while "cultural Chinese" includes all Chinese societies worldwide, according to Lu.
"Nonetheless, success in economic integration should not be linked with political integration," she said.
STILL DANGEROUS: The typhoon was expected to weaken, but it would still maintain its structure, with high winds and heavy rain, the weather agency said One person had died amid heavy winds and rain brought by Typhoon Krathon, while 70 were injured and two people were unaccounted for, the Central Emergency Operation Center said yesterday, while work and classes have been canceled nationwide today for the second day. The Hualien County Fire Department said that a man in his 70s had fallen to his death at about 11am on Tuesday while trimming a tree at his home in Shoufeng Township (壽豐). Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Fire Department received a report of a person falling into the sea at about 1pm on Tuesday, but had to suspend search-and-rescue
RULES BROKEN: The MAC warned Chinese not to say anything that would be harmful to the autonomous status of Taiwan or undermine its sovereignty A Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents has been deported, the National Immigration Agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon. A Chinese man, surnamed Yao (姚), and his wife were escorted by immigration officials to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they boarded a flight to China before noon yesterday, the agency said. The agency said that it had annulled the couple’s entry permits, citing alleged contraventions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法). The couple applied to visit a family member in
CELEBRATION: The PRC turned 75 on Oct. 1, but the Republic of China is older. The PRC could never be the homeland of the people of the ROC, Lai said The People’s Republic of China (PRC) could not be the “motherland” of the people of the Republic of China (ROC), President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks in a speech at a Double Ten National Day gala in Taipei, which is part of National Day celebrations that are to culminate in a fireworks display in Yunlin County on Thursday night next week. Lai wished the country a happy birthday and called on attendees to enjoy the performances and activities while keeping in mind that the ROC is a sovereign and independent nation. He appealed for everyone to always love their
‘EXTREME PRESSURE’: Beijing’s goal is to ‘force Taiwan to make mistakes,’ Admiral Tang Hua said, adding that mishaps could serve as ‘excuses’ for launching a blockade China’s authoritarian expansionism threatens not only Taiwan, but the rules-based international order, the navy said yesterday, after its top commander said in an interview that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could blockade the nation at will. The object of Beijing’s expansionist activities is not limited to Taiwan and its use of pressure is not confined to specific political groups or people, the navy said in a statement. China utilizes a mixture of cognitive warfare and “gray zone” military activities to pressure Taiwan, the navy said, adding that PLA sea and air forces are compressing the nation’s defensive depth. The navy continues to
RSS