HK office in Taiwan suspends operations

The Chinese national flags and flags of the Hong Kong SAR flutter in Hong Kong. (Photo/Xinhua)

The Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan temporarily suspended operations with immediate effect from Tuesday, the Hong Kong government announced.

In a statement, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government pledged it will continue to deal with inquiries and requests for assistance made by Hong Kong residents in Taiwan and provide information to Taiwan residents via hotline services and its official website.

A Hong Kong government spokesman said the decision to close the office was not associated with the recent COVID-19 outbreak on the island, and he did not give any further reasons.

Affiliated with the HKSAR government's Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the office commenced operations in Taipei on Dec 19, 2011. Its tasks include promoting economic, trade and cultural communications and exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The office was established after ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan improved and an agreement on economic cooperation was signed in June 2010.

Over the past decade, the office has not only strengthened cooperation and exchanges on the economy, trade, culture and tourism, but it has also assisted Hong Kong residents who work or study on the island and assisted in helping Taiwan residents with entry applications.