HK serves as warning to Taiwan, says Tsai

Hong Kong has served as an example that shows that one country, two systems is not feasible, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said in her New Year address.

Tsai said continuing protests in Hong Kong is proof that the governing framework, which Beijing proposes for Taiwan, is untenable.

"China's goal is very clear and that is to compel Taiwan to make concessions on the question of sovereignty under duress," Tsai said. "Yet in Hong Kong, where one country, two systems is in effect, the situation has just gotten worse and worse. Democracy and autocracy cannot co-exist in the same country."

Tsai said Beijing has been relentless in its attempts to influence and infiltrate Taiwan's politics and society, but the island's new ban on political interference should have no effect on normal exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

The anti-subversion law that obtained final approval in Taiwan's legislature aims to prevent illegal campaign contributions, staging of political events, the spread of misinformation and other acts by foreigners that could affect Taiwan's elections or the work of government.

It was denounced by the opposition and by Beijing as overly broad and an attack of exchanges between the two sides, but Tsai defended it as having no effect on normal interactions.

The law's passage "won't have any effect on freedom or violate human rights and won't influence normal commercial exchanges. It will simply provide greater guarantees from Taiwan's freedom and democracy," Tsai said.

Given China's similar actions in other countries, Taiwan's failure to prevent interference could give the impression it is untroubled by Beijing's actions, Tsai said.

Tsai runs for reelection as president on January 11.

In his New Year's Eve address, President Xi Jinping said the successful practice of Macau indicates that one country, two systems is fully applicable, achievable and popular. As for Hong Kong, he said "our hearts have been concerned about the situation in Hong Kong."

Xi added: "Without a harmonious and stable environment, how can people live in peace and enjoy their work! I sincerely wish Hong Kong well and our Hong Kong compatriots well. Hong Kong's prosperity and stability is the wish of Hong Kong compatriots and the expectation of people of our motherland."