COLUMNS

What the End of One Country, Two Systems Means for Hong Kong, Taiwan and the World

May 26, 2020 | 22:06 GMT

Protesters fleeing tear gas during a general strike in Hong Kong in August 2019.

Protesters fleeing tear gas during a general strike in Hong Kong in August 2019.

(Rumbo a lo desconocido/SHUTTERSTOCK)

Highlights

  • Beijing's decision to impose a long-delayed security law on Hong Kong reflects the mainland’s growing concern with challenges to national unity. 
  • Hong Kong will face an acceleration of reintegration, and a more rapid erosion of its special status, while Taiwan will face increased economic and military pressure from the mainland. 
  • China will use its political, economic and, if need be, military might to assert its sovereignty over its periphery, including Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Beijing's decision to impose a long-delayed security law on Hong Kong reflects the mainland’s growing concern with challenges to national unity ahead of next year's 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. But it is more immediately driven by the rising violence in Hong Kong and the political evolution in Taiwan. Despite international criticism, China will strengthen efforts to fully integrate Hong Kong and to further isolate Taiwan internationally....

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