HK Is Now The 'Purgatory Of The Orient', Says Taiwan

Taiwan says it is just as shocked as the rest of the world by the Hong Kong authorities' move on Wednesday to arrest dozens of pro-democracy figures.

Around 50 people linked to the pro-democracy camp's primary polls for 2020 Legco elections that were eventually scrapped were arrested in the morning, including several former lawmakers and a lawyer who is a US citizen.

The government said they were suspected of subversion – a national security offence which carries a maximum punishment of life in prison.

"We and the international community are equally shocked by the Hong Kong side's early morning raids and the arbitrary arrests of Hong Kong democrats, and condemn any tyrannical acts that oppress democracy and human rights," Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said.

"The 'Hong Kong version of the National Security Law' has frequently struck at democrats on charges of subverting state power. It not only highlights the fact that the Hong Kong Basic Law meant to protect the rights of Hong Kong people's has become nothing but words, but its evil deeds have also turned Hong Kong from the 'Pearl of the Orient' into a shocking 'Purgatory of the Orient'."