Taipei Times: The mass turnout for the July 1 demonstration against the controversial law has prompted the Hong Kong administration to yield, scale back the bill and defer passage of the legislation. Are you satisfied with the steps the government has taken? What's the status of the proposed bill and how do you think it will develop?
Emily Lau (
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
It is not clear now as to how the proposed bill will proceed as the government, in response to the July 1 protest, is currently revising the bill. I don't think issues concerning the bill will wrap up anytime soon as an open question-and-answer session on the revised version won't be held until later next month. So what needs to be done now is to observe how the situation concerning the bill develops in the coming months.
The current legislative council session will be concluded next July with an election slated for September next year. It is unlikely the bill will pass under the current legislative council; therefore I think we won't see the end of it until next year, or maybe later.
The Hong Kong government of course likes to see the bill develop in its favor. If we stay mute, the government would and could do whatever it wants. The mass July 1 demonstration was an unexpected scene to the government. The massive protest showed that we can change things as long as people stand up in unity and voice our minds.
TT: You mentioned that the bill might not be resolved until the next legislative council is in session. What's your outlook on the fate of the bill if it is to be tackled under the new legislative council elected in September next year?
Lau: It is hard to say. It all depends on the Hong Kong people. I think the July 1 demonstration has greatly changed the political environment in Hong Kong with people now becoming more politically concerned and paying more attention to political issues.
That is a good thing, as it might serve as a catalyst in drawing more people to participate in political events.
If next September's poll elects more people who are democratically minded and not afraid of the Communist regime, I think the Hong Kong government's push for the passage of the anti-subversion legislation would be less likely to succeed.
TT: Your visit to Taiwan and participation in the conference, sponsored by a pan-green think tank, has put you under attack back home from Chinese Communist Party mouthpieces such as the Wen Wei Po (文匯報) and Ta Kung Pao (大公報), which fired volleys of criticism at you and branded you as a supporter of pro-Taiwan independence. What is your take on that? Do you think there will be anything unpleasant waiting for you upon your return to Hong Kong [on Sunday night]?
Lau: I think what they did was very unreasonable. I don't understand why they did what they did as I have done no harm to Hong Kong as a whole with my visiting here and participation in the conference. I am simply here to make known to outsiders Hong Kong's development and to help them gain better insight into Hong Kong.
I hope nothing unpleasant happens upon my return to Hong Kong. But if it does, I am not intimidated by it either. If I have a chance to come to Taiwan to attend a similar conference, I would be eager to come again.
If Beijing indeed does impose unpleasant actions upon me and puts pressure on me after I get back to Hong Kong, I think it is more likely an attempt to "kill the chicken to frighten the monkey" (
I think it is a very stupid thing for the Hong Kong authorities to do if they indeed resort to such a thing. I am not intimidated by it because I believe it right to uphold and fight for our freedom of speech and press.
TT: Is there anything you would like to say to Taiwan's public?
Lau: I think people in Taiwan should engage themselves to understand more and learn more about Hong Kong and vice versa.
China has long wanted to unite Taiwan under the "one China, two systems" formula and might want to adopt laws similar to Article 23 as part of its negotiations with Taiwan concerning unification. Given that, Taiwan's public should pay close attention to the development of that bill in Hong Kong.
TT: What are the possible impacts on Taiwan if the the Hong Kong government enacts the bill?
James To (涂謹申): Under the proposed bill, many acts would easily be branded as treason against the People's Republic of China. No matter where you are, as long as you are a permanent resident of Hong Kong, which many Taiwanese are if they have stayed in Hong Kong for more than seven years, you will be charged with treason, sedition and subversion and risk the possibility of jail time if you comment on or make moves of any sort in support of Taiwan in the event China launches attacks on Taiwan.
The DPP is now in power in Taiwan. As a ruling party, many big businesses will naturally work to establish contact with the DPP. If the proposed anti-subversion legislation is enacted, these big businesses, many of which might be multinationals, would have to be careful with their donations and participation in events relating to the DPP administration as they would, under the proposed legislation, be branded as groups in support of secession and subversion.
TT: What role do you think Taiwan plays in the face of the proposed bill in Hong Kong?
To: Taiwan should make its opinion known because if it does not, others will not know Taiwan's objections.
To employ an analogy, Hong Kong, returned to China in 1997, is like a girl, long pursued by a guy -- China -- who finally agreed to marry. Now that they are married, the guy no longer cherishes the girl as he did before they were married. Taiwan is like a pretty girl China wants to court. To make it known to China that Taiwan is paying close attention to the way it treats Hong Kong would prompt China to improve its treatment of Hong Kong as it wishes to avoid scaring off its chance of uniting Taiwan.
Taiwan should voice its opinion on Article 23 and make known to China that it is paying close attention and has great concerns over its development. By doing so, Taiwan is not only helping itself but also helping people in Hong Kong. Taiwan's outspokenness would make Beijing more aware of its own actions in Hong Kong and encourage it to proceed more prudently.
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