Taipei's fears over Hong Kong

If Taipei had wanted to send a message to Beijing rejecting the "one country, two systems" concept at the time of the (Hong Kong) handover, what better way than to hold high-profile war games in the Taiwan Straits? But how rational was Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's decision to do just that? Lee has denied any link between the live-ammunition exercises and the handover in Hong Kong. But his response invites probing questions. Why did he choose this particular time for the war games? Why did he refuse to reschedule them, despite the demands of Washington and Beijing?

The games could have been put back a month. But Lee clearly feared that Beijing would not get the message.

But what message did he wish to send?

Lee wanted to tell Beijing that Taiwan was not afraid of China and that it is not willing to accept the one country, two systems concept for the island.

This does not mean that Taiwan officials reject the reversion of Hong Kong to China. How could they? Taiwan is Chinese and the people there have no reason to object to Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule.

At the same time, there are reasons why the Taiwan leadership may not welcome the handover. There are undoubtedly fears in Taiwan that Hong Kong will lose its neutrality on cross-straits affairs after the handover. Although Hong Kong will be a Special Administrative Region, it will be regarded in Taiwan as being on the mainland side. There are fears, too, that if the one country, two systems principle works in Hong Kong, there will be increased pressure on Taiwan to accept China's plan for the island.

While these war games were not conducive to harmony in Greater China, there can be no doubt that Taiwan wants to maintain a close and direct relationship with the territory. Taipei should refrain from doing anything that may hurt Hong Kong.

-- The Hong Kong Standard