Hong Kong—Hong Kong is temporarily shutting its representative office in Taiwan, officials said Tuesday in the latest indication of strained ties.
“The Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan) has temporarily suspended operations with effect from today,” Hong Kong’s government said in a brief statement, which did not give a reason for the closure.
A government spokesperson told AFP that the decision “has nothing to do with the coronavirus situation” in Taiwan where cases have recently spiked and prompted the reimposition of some social distancing measures.
Asked whether the closure was tied to politics, the spokesperson declined to comment.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles relations with China, said it was working on a response.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s newly appointed Catholic bishop on Tuesday said he would need to tread carefully with Beijing as it cracks down on dissent—but vowed to plead with authorities to defend religious freedoms.
The Vatican announced Monday that Stephen Chow, 62, would be the southern Chinese city’s new bishop, filling a role that had remained vacant at a tumultuous time for religious congregations.
Chow, the head of the Vatican’s Jesuit order in the China region, was peppered with questions about how he plans to handle relations with local and mainland authorities at his first press appearance since his appointment.
“Religious freedom is a basic right. We hope in our talks to the government to remind it that it doesn’t forget that,” he told reporters.
But he also trod carefully on questions about China’s treatment of religions and the destruction of churches in the mainland.
Hong Kong abides by authoritarian China’s view that democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and must be seized one day, by force if necessary.
Like Beijing, Hong Kong does not recognize Taiwanese authorities as legitimate. However, there is a huge amount of trade between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
According to Hong Kong’s government, Taiwan is its second-largest trading partner, its third-largest market for domestic exports, its fifth-largest market for re-exports and its second-largest source of imports.
Representative offices were opened during a warmer period of ties.
Hong Kong’s office started operations in 2011 and acts much like a consulate, handling enquiries from residents in Taiwan as well as business and cultural exchanges.
Taiwan has an equivalent office in Hong Kong. But the offices have been caught up in souring relations between Taiwan and China.
Taiwan has been public in recent years about how its officials have struggled to get visas.
Earlier this month, Taiwan warned only eight officials remained in the Hong Kong office and their visas will only last until the end of the year.
Taiwan’s democratically elected leader President Tsai Ing-wen has been supportive of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, which was quashed by a sweeping clampdown on dissent.
Taipei has said it is open to Hong Kongers looking to resettle there.
Hong Kong and Beijing have bristled at that invitation as well as at criticism from Taipei over Hong Kong’s fading freedoms.