Taiwan flags now seen as symbol of separatism that violates national security law

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/10/11
By: Chris Chang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The flag of Taiwan is now a sensitive symbol in Hong Kong, as the "one China principle" has become the top doctrine for the special administrative region since the arrival of Beijing's national security law.

Saturday (Oct. 10) marks Taiwan's National Day, or Double Ten Day, on which pro-Taiwan citizens in Hong Kong traditionally display the flag of Taiwan and celebrate at Sun Yat-sen Commemorative Garden, one of the few places in Hong Kong where Taiwan's flag has traditionally been flown year-round.

This year, after the national security law went into effect in July, Hong Kong authorities have resolved to prevent the flag of Taiwan from appearing in the semi-autonomous region. Hong Kong's Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) is said to be leading the removal action and has tasked the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department with monitoring the flag's presence, the AppleDaily reported.

According to the internal order, the action is supposed to remain low-key. Officials can immediately remove the flags when the situation allows — meaning when no press, assemblies, or crowds are nearby. If the flags are found on a busy street, the officials should call the police to intervene.    [FULL  STORY]