Taiwan cautioned on Saturday that Hong Kong’s decision to freeze assets belonging to imprisoned media tycoon Jimmy Lai was an indication to the international community that doing business in the Chinese-controlled city was getting progressively hazardous.
The asset freeze, declared on Friday, includes all shares of his company, Next Digital – the first time a quoted company has been the focus by national security laws in the financial hub.
Shortly, before the declaration the Taiwan arm of Lai’s well known Apple Daily said it would quit publishing its print variant, accusing declining advertising income and more troublesome business conditions in Hong Kong connected to political issues.
In a statement, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said the asset seizure featured the danger Hong Kong’s national security law posed to the property of the city’s inhabitants.
“It is comparable to reporting to the international community that Hong Kong’s business hazards are expanding,” the chamber added.
“We also appeal to relevant parties to quit stifling Hong Kong democrats; else they will float away from mainstream opinion.”
The former British settlement of Hong Kong has been shaken by protests against its Beijing-backed government lately and a year ago China forced an intense new national security law on the city.
China denies it is pointed toward removing individuals’ opportunities and is expected to return the rule of law to Hong Kong.
Chinese-claimed Taiwan has a boisterous vote based system and a free media and its administration have been emphatically reproachful of the crackdown in Hong Kong, to Beijing’s outrage.
Lai was condemned to 14 months in jail for partaking in unapproved congregations during pro democracy protests in 2019.
