(The original article in Japanese was posted on June 25, 2021)

On June 21, the Taiwan government issued a statement condemning the unilateral measures taken by the Hong Kong government against the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, a local agency in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government denied the renewal of visas for seven clerical staffs of the office, and the visa of the remaining one will expire at the end of July, so the office is likely to be practically closed down. Meanwhile, all staff members of the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office, which the Hong Kong government had established in Taiwan, have already returned to Hong Kong. As a result, the both governments will be completely deprived of official diplomatic channels.

Hong Kong said the measures were taken “because Taiwan supported the migration of forces threatening Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity,” but in addition, there may also be an aim to restrain the resumption of the suspended discussion on “Framework Agreement on Trade and Investment” between Taiwan and the U.S. Although the Tsai administration repels the pressure from Chinese authorities, its economic dependence on China has been rather increasing. Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. are still about one-third of the exports to China, and the rupture with Hong Kong can be a strong enough warning to Taiwan.

On the other hand, one year has passed since the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, and the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” has virtually disappeared. Many young people seeking freedom of speech were arrested or detained on suspicion of violating the National Security Law. The election system has also changed. When running for candidacy, candidates are required to prove that they are “patriots” in the preliminary examination. Censorship of movies and websites has been also stricter. The fort of last resort of the pro-democracy camp, the release of “Apple Daily,” has also been suspended. The founder and other executives have already been arrested, assets have been frozen, new loans have been forbidden, and media activities have been suspended on June 24.

The message from Chinese authorities is simple, which is “Enjoy the stability and prosperity of the past, but do not allow criticism of the administration." Does China consider it is right to achieve the prosperity under the suffocating environment where the objection is rejected, people’s will is despised, and people are forced to obey, go along with, and give careful consideration to the administration? Will these tough situations become common in Hong Kong in the near future?

On second thought, one simple question came into my mind. “Does this kind of matter occur only in the system of China?” I think the same is true for some cases in other countries. The plain, “black” image posted on Instagram by Agnes Chow Ting, who was released from prison in Hong Kong, the “black”-lacquered ‘Akagi file’ documents disclosed at the end of the false statement in Japan – what is common to resistance and unhealthiness is essentially the same.

This Week’s Focus, June 25

Takashi Mizukoshi, the President