Robert Potter, a fellow at Australian National University’s Center for European Studies, expressed concerns about China's potential to betray its promises to Taiwan regarding self-governance. He compared this to the situation in Hong Kong, where activists have been imprisoned. Potter shared his statement in a November 18 post.
"As China sentences the bravest citizens of Kong Hong to prison, remember that China gave its word to respect ‘one country, two systems," said Potter. "China betrayed that promise. So when people inevitably come forward and say China will respect Taiwan, remember this."
According to Reuters, Hong Kong’s High Court recently sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to up to 10 years in prison following a national security trial. This has drawn criticism from several countries, including the United States. In 2021, 47 pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law that carries sentences of up to life imprisonment. Prosecutors accused these activists of attempting to undermine the government by organizing an unofficial primary election in 2020.
The Hong Kong Legal Club notes that Hong Kong's constitutional document, known as the Basic Law, enshrines the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, which came into effect on July 1, 1997. The Basic Law guarantees various rights and a high degree of autonomy in areas such as the economy and external affairs.
The Council on Foreign Relations reports that China had previously agreed that Taiwan would enjoy some political autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework. However, recent actions by Beijing have curtailed these freedoms, leading to mass protests and international controversy.
NPR reported that China conducted large military exercises around Taiwan in October as a warning against independence movements. These drills were said by China's defense ministry to be a response to Taiwanese President Lai's refusal to accept Beijing's demand for Taiwan to acknowledge itself as part of the People's Republic of China (PRC) under Chinese Communist Party rule. Similar exercises occurred after Lai's inauguration in May.
Potter is recognized as a visiting fellow at ANU’s Center for European Studies and has extensive experience as a cybersecurity executive and trainer with the U.S. Department of State’s Cooperative Threat Reduction program. He has collaborated with governments from the United States, Canada, and Australia on cybersecurity issues.
