Focus Taiwan
Date: 02/28/2020
By: Chen Yun-yu, Lai Yen-hsi, Stanley Cheung and Emerson Lim

Taipei, Feb. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's government on Friday condemned the arrest of Hong Kong pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai (黎智英) by Hong Kong police on charges of illegal assembly and intimidation.

In a press statement, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) expressed concern over Lai's arrest and urged the Hong Kong government to protect the right of its people to assemble as guaranteed by its Basic Law.

The Hong Kong authorities should prioritize COVID-19 outbreak containment instead of political reprisal, said the MAC, an agency that handle Taiwan's relations with Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

"Considering the current situation, we hope the Hong Kong side can exercise restraint and respond to people's demands sincerely, to be able to get to the crux of problems and resolve them," the MAC said.    [FULL  STORY]