Since the now-withdrawn ordinance amendments concerning fugitives' transfers sparked unrest in Hong Kong in June, Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has repeated its support for the "anti-extradition bill movement." In an attempt to win the 2020 Taiwan regional elections, Tsai Ing-wen has exploited the movement to whip up sentiment against the Chinese mainland to improve her chance of winning. 

However, with the movement turning into violence and turmoil, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has ratcheted up efforts to restore order. It is reported that so far over 200 protesters have fled Hong Kong for Taiwan to avoid possible punishments. Tsai is in a dilemma on dealing with these protesters illegally entering Taiwan.

Since winning the election in 2016, the DPP has been refusing to recognize the 1992 Consensus and seeking an incremental process toward "Taiwan secession," leading to strained cross-Straits relations. Violent protesters and rioters in Hong Kong have regarded Taiwan as the shelter and the DPP as an ally to confront the Chinese mainland. 

As protests in Hong Kong turned more violent, the rioters appealed to the DPP to enact a refugee bill as soon as possible, so that the island can offer shelter to those law-breakers in Hong Kong. Some rioters even advised Taiwan regional authorities to amend the so-called Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs, enacted by Taiwan's "mainland affairs council," and hope Taiwan can issue clearer and more powerful protection mechanism and rescue measures. Those rioters who have illegally entered Taiwan require Taiwan regional authorities to provide substantial assistance, for example not classifying them as illegal immigrants and supplying necessary shelter.

Before the rioters fled to Taiwan, the island was concerned about the unrest in Hong Kong. Generally, the society in Taiwan has been disapproving of the violence by protesters. Moves such as disrupting public transportation, setting public property on fire, vandalizing shops and attacking ordinary people have violated the rule of law. 

In recent years, although Taiwan society has seen fierce discords between pro-reunification and pro-secession camps as well as escalating economic and social contradictions, people who are dissatisfied with the status quo tend to express their appeals peacefully. 

Many Taiwan residents are worried that once granting unconditional protection to rioters from Hong Kong, Taiwan would become their sanctuary. It may encourage the rioters to behave unscrupulously and crank up violent activities in Hong Kong, eventually leading to a large number of rioters flowing into the island. This would affect security in Taiwan.

Some in Taiwan are also concerned that Hong Kong secession forces may join hands with Taiwan secessionists and their supporters, leading to worsening cross-Straits relations. Therefore, the public in Taiwan doesn't support enacting a refugee bill. 

Since the outbreak of Hong Kong unrest, Tsai authorities have been using the turmoil to provoke local people against the mainland, so as to gain votes for the 2020 election. 

However, although the DPP has the majority in the "Legislative Yuan" of Taiwan and can push the enactment of refugee legislation, Tsai ruled it out and said existing legislation is sufficient.

Taiwan authority's moves and rhetoric on Hong Kong unrest are out of the attempt to maintain the DPP's electoral support. For winning reelection in 2020 amid her political performance, Tsai has to play "sovereignty" and "security" cards in the campaign. The support from Tsai and the DPP for Hong Kong violence has created an illusion among the protesters that "Taiwan secessionists" would unconditionally bolster "Hong Kong secession." Hence, they urged the island to enact the refugee act, but the results backfired.

It is predictable that Hong Kong secessionist groups won't give up wooing "Taiwan secession" forces, which would vice versa continue taking advantage of the former. But when it comes to political power and substantial interests, the DPP's Hong Kong card will backfire.

The author is deputy director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn