ASSESSING TAIWAN's SECOND TRANSITION OF POWER:
A turning point in Taiwan's political development?

Cross-Strait Relations: The Role of Hong Kong

Yiu-chung Wong
Associate Professor, Lingnan University

Abstract
The paper attempts to address the question of how important is Hong Kong’s role in the grand strategy of unifying Taiwan as envisaged by Beijing. It is argued that the role for Hong Kong is minimal and by itself Hong Kong simply cannot play any significant role in Beijing's overall strategy.  The paper tries to analyze the issue from the perspectives of the triangular relationships between Beijing-Hong Kong, Hong Kong- Taipei and Taipei-Beijing. The concept of “One Country, Two Systems” is central in these relationships. The minimal role of Hong Kong in the unification strategy is related to  the form of “One Country, Two Systems” as currently implemented in Hong Kong. If Beijing wants Hong Kong to exercise greater influence in the process, another form of “One Country, Two Systems” might be needed.   

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