Taiwan's legislature expresses support for Hong Kong people

Taipei, June 17 (CNA) Cross-party caucuses in the Legislative Yuan expressed support for Hong Kong people through a resolution Monday, amid ongoing controversy over an extradition bill that has already seen millions of residents of the Chinese Special Administrative Region take to the streets.

The resolution was approved after caucuses negotiations during an extraordinary meeting that day.

"Hong Kong people have voiced their concerns through massive protests. The Legislative Yuan caucuses do not agree with the Hong Kong government's forceful way of handling the mass movement," the resolution said.

"We urge the Hong Kong government to listen to its people with humility and minimize conflict."

"We support Hong Kong people's aspiration for democracy and freedom," the resolution said, urging the Hong Kong government to withdraw the controversial extradition bill.

In accordance with the universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights, anti-crime cooperation should not be codified in a bill that erodes human rights, the resolution said.

"Hong Kong people have the right to seek their own democracy and freedom. We will always support those universal values and oppose any violation of human rights and freedom," the resolution said.

The legislature also suggested that the Taiwan government take action to assist the people of Hong Kong.

"To support Hong Kong's democracy, rule-based system, freedom and democracy amid mass action that turned bloody, the government should provide necessary assistance to Hong Kong residents whose safety is at risk for political reasons, pursuant to Article 18 and related clauses of the Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong and Macao Affairs."

Meanwhile, Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) said the resolution clarified the position of the legislature on the extradition bill controversy.

"You are not alone, Taiwan is with you," Su said as he thanked the party caucuses for uniting to protect the value of democracy and freedom.

Su emphasized that as Taiwanese people sympathize with Hong Kong, they should also ask themselves: "what kind of future do you want?"

The proposed extradition bill, which would allow Hong Kong authorities to send criminal suspects to China, Taiwan and Macau, triggered massive rallies in Hong Kong over the past week as the Hong Kong Legislative Council was poised give the bill a second reading.

The bill raised fears that the rights of Hong Kong residents or foreigners transiting the territory would be threatened as they could in theory be detained at the behest of Beijing.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) announced on Saturday that the Hong Kong government would suspend deliberations on the controversial bill.