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Kimmy Chung

The re-election of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen is a relief for Hong Kong protesters who fled to the self-ruled island and pinned their hopes on her in securing visas to stay.
Tsai, from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), comfortably beat her main challenger Han Kuo-yu, from the mainland China-friendly Kuomintang, in Saturday’s election – billed as a referendum on the island’s relations with Beijing.
“I was a bit nervous before election day, seeing apathetic students around and the massive turnout of Han’s campaign rally,” a 21-year-old student named Sing said.
“Had Han been elected, I was afraid I would fail to secure a visa and have to move to somewhere in Europe or the United States. I don’t want to start all over again.


“Now, I feel relieved and more certain about the future. I hope I can focus on finishing my degree here.”
With Hong Kong’s anti-government movement rolling on for more than seven months, an estimated 200 protesters had fled to the island on extended tourist visas. The Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church in Taipei, which has offered humanitarian help to about 200, believed at least 30 were now staying on the island. While Sing managed to get tentatively enrolled in a local university, other adults were unable to work, including a 30-year-old protester who gave his name as Nick.
Taiwan president meets US and Japan envoys in wake of victory
“I am basically a nobody here – I cannot do what I want and I cannot even work,” Nick, who had a job in the catering industry in Hong Kong, said. “The first thing I hope is that Tsai can give me a work visa so that I can stand on my own two feet.”
Both Sing and Nick were among the first group to arrive in Taiwan, having been involved in the storming of Hong Kong’s legislature on July 1.
Nick said Hong Kong police had searched his home twice since his departure and he believed he would be arrested if he returned to the city.
“I know I have been targeted by police. I don’t want to be a deserter, but it is not worth being arrested at the airport and sent to prison for at least six years for rioting,” he said.


A life away from home, with no return date, is not easy. With so much free time, Nick said he had closely followed all the demonstrations in Hong Kong, consumed by a sense of guilt knowing protesters as young as 13 had been arrested.
Sing, who has been catching up with his studies at university, has deliberately distanced himself from other students from Hong Kong, for fear of his background being discovered.
“I feel under pressure when I have to do group projects as well, as I am still not sure if I can stay here for the long term,” he said.
Hong Kong protesters in Taiwan celebrate election result, stage demonstration
Tsai and the DPP have said repeatedly they will do all they can to help protesters seeking shelter in Taiwan. Last month, she said there was no need for Taiwan to institute a refugee law, as existing regulations governing the island’s relations with Hong Kong and Macau were sufficient to deal with the issue.
I don’t want to be a deserter, but it is not worth being arrested at the airport and sent to prison for at least six years for rioting
Nick, Hong Kong protester
Hong Kong lawyer Daniel Wong Kwok-tung, who is in talks on the visa status of these protesters, said they had high expectations for Tsai’s government.
“As the DPP has fought against dictatorship since its establishment in the 1980s, they should understand our agony and sadness in watching our comrades being arrested,” he said.
He is opening a restaurant in Taipei, which will be operated by the protesters.
Huang Yibee, chief executive of human rights pressure group Covenants Watch in Taipei, believed Tsai’s government would relax the restrictions for Hongkongers to enrol in schools and work as ways for them to gain permanent residence, all under the current law.

Her organisation, linking up with other local NGOs, has been offering internship programmes for Hong Kong protesters in need.
“But it will be very difficult for the government to establish a new mechanism, or invoke Article 18 in the process,” she said, referring to a law that promises help to Hong Kong and Macau citizens “whose safety and liberty are immediately threatened for political reasons”.
“After all, Tsai has to balance different factors in the national interest. Avoiding provoking Beijing is surely in the equation,” Huang said, adding that there were different voices in society, with some worrying about a flood of refugees from Hong Kong.
“Other local groups that support Taiwan independence do not want to walk too closely with Hong Kong, which is part of China.”


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Taiwan elections 2020

Hong Kong protesters feel new burst of hope as Tsai Ing-win sweeps to resounding victory in Taiwan elections

Hong Kong protesters attend a rally in support of Tsai Ing-wen outside the Democratic Progressive Party headquarters in Taipei. Photo: Reuters

Nick, a 30-year-old protester who has fled to Taiwan, hopes he could gain an appropriate visa status which would enable him to work there. SCMP / Kimmy Chung

Incumbent Tsai Ing-wen addresses supporters in Taipei after she wins the Taiwan presidential election with 57.1 per cent of the vote, final results showed on January 11, 2020. Photo prvided by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang delivers a speech and talks about Hong Kong during a rally of Taiwan's 2020 presidential election candidate, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

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Hong Kong

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Tsai and her party have said repeatedly they will do all they can to help protesters seeking shelter in Taiwan
Head of human rights group believes government will relax restrictions for Hongkongers to enrol in school or to work to gain permanent residence



There are an estimated 200 protesters who have fled to the island on extended tourist visas.


Hong Kong protesters feel new burst of hope as Tsai Ing-win sweeps to resounding victory in Taiwan elections

Tsai and her party have said repeatedly they will do all they can to help protesters seeking shelter in Taiwan Head of human rights group believes government will relax restrictions for Hongkongers to enrol in school or to work to gain permanent residence

Tsai and her party have said repeatedly they will do all they can to help protesters seeking shelter in Taiwan

Head of human rights group believes government will relax restrictions for Hongkongers to enrol in school or to work to gain permanent residence