Taiwan calls for ‘peaceful and cautious approach’ by China on Hong Kong protests

TAIPEI – Taiwan, which has been increasingly integrating its economy with that of China, in some cases in the face of increasing opposition from its own people, has gone public in support of Hong Kong demands for universal suffrage, calling on China to adopt a ‘peaceful and cautious approach in the current situation’.

In an official statement, Taiwan’s President, Ma Ying-jeou, said the Government and people of Taiwan are deeply concerned about recent developments. “We fully understand and support the Hong Kong people’s demand for universal suffrage,” the statement says.

“As Hong Kong is an extremely important global financial center, any political turmoil that occurs there will impact not only Asia but the entire world. We therefore call on the mainland Chinese authorities to listen carefully to the demands of the Hong Kong people and adopt a peaceful and cautious approach to the current situation. At the same time, we urge Hong Kong residents to express their views in a peaceful and rational manner. We do not wish to see any conflicts.

“Observers outside Hong Kong hope that it will gradually move toward democracy. We believe that, if a system of universal suffrage can be realised there, both Hong Kong itself as well as mainland China would benefit.” (ATI).