Hong Kong Political Purge

—What happened to the activists in Hong Kong? Yesterday, police arrested 10 people in Hong Kong under a new national security law. The purge has begun with the media owner of Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai. His company’s senior executive Mark Simon said in a tweet that "Jimmy Lai is being arrested for collusion with foreign powers at this time.” On that night, 23 year-old activist, Agnes Chow was detained by police. Later a statement was posted on her Facebook, says she was arrested over “clouding with foreign forces,” under the National Security Law. President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen showed a disappointment over the surge in Hong Kong, saying the arrests “further eroding Hong Kong’s freedom of the press, rule of the law, human rights and democracy.” This comment came after the meeting with a high-profile US figure visiting Taiwan. —When did this diplomatic relationship start between US and Taiwan? Since 2018, US has embolden the tie between Taiwan by introducing acts such as Taiwan Relations Act and Taiwan Travel Act. Plus, Taiwan is buying military equipments from US over the decade. Yesterday, US health secretary, Alex Azar, has met Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen for the meeting over the response to the COVID-19 crisis while Taiwanese airforce detected unknown fighter jets, allegedly from China, at the Taiwanese side of the border. BBC reported that Azar stated “three overarching themes” for the visit. “The first is to recognise Taiwan as an open and democratic society, executing a highly successful and transparent Covid-19 response,” he said. “The second is to reaffirm Taiwan as a long partner and friend of the United States. “The third is to note that Taiwan deserves to be recognised as a global health leader with an excellent track record of contributing to international health." Despite the successful handling on COVID-19, Taiwan is not a member of WHO. In response to the meeting, President Tsai posted on Twitter. “Working together, we can prove that democracy is the best system to overcome global challenges,” she said. —So, what Abe said, or did not say on Hong Kong? Last month, PM Shizo Abe and Australia PM Scott Morrison held a video meeting on Hong Kong’s security. Since then, no comments. Japan’s position over China is double standard. On one side, the economy is important when it comes to the tourism and other industries. On the other side, a nationalist population support Shinzo Abe on the security issue. Abe has been passive to China, he will be passive. Japan itself has no intention to involve in the humanitarian problem in Hong Kong. It is about the international politics, rather than the domestic politics. China carrying out political purge in Hong Kong -ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-11/agnes-chow-arrested-hong-kong-china-security-laws/12544476 US angers China with high-profile Taiwan visit - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53719333 Taiwan–United States relations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan–United_States_relations Trade War Vox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwa3vLoeNmQ Chinese Consulate in Houston -PBS News Hour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-55YTqufAVo Agnes Chow Facebook https://www.facebook.com/agneschowting/