LCQ16: Title for the topmost leader of the Taiwan region
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Question:
According to the Charter of Radio Television Hong Kong (the Charter), Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) is to "promote understanding of our community, our nation and the world through accurate and impartial news, information, perspectives and analyses". Under the "One-China" principle, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. However, RTHK's news reports have referred to the topmost leader of the Taiwan region as "President", which is the title of the head of state of most countries in the world. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it has assessed if the aforesaid reporting practice of RTHK has (i) breached the "One-China" principle, (ii) caused public misunderstanding that the topmost leader of the Taiwan region is the head of state, and (iii) deviated from the aforesaid requirement of the Charter; if it has assessed and the outcome is in the affirmative, whether it will request RTHK to immediately stop referring to the topmost leader of the Taiwan region as "President" in its news reports; if it has not assessed, whether it will make such an assessment?
Reply:
President,
In consultation with the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, our reply to the Member's question is as follows:
Hong Kong and Taiwan are part of one China. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has all along handled Taiwan-related matters in accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China, the one-China principle as well as the Basic Principles and Policies of the Central Government regarding the Handling of Taiwan-related Matters in Hong Kong (i.e. Qian's Seven Principles).
The Charter of Radio Television Hong Kong (the Charter) clearly specifies the public purposes and mission of the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), which include providing accurate and impartial news, information, perspectives and analyses; promoting understanding of the concept of "One Country, Two Systems"; and engendering a sense of citizenship and national identity through programmes that contribute to the understanding of our community and the nation. RTHK will continue to abide by the Charter, duly meet its obligations as a public service broadcaster, and uphold the highest professional standards of journalism. The RTHK's News and Current Affairs Section will continue to strictly observe the relevant principles in the use of terminology.
Ends/Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Issued at HKT 12:10
Issued at HKT 12:10
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