Remarks by the mainland's Foreign Minister, Qian Qichen , that pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong should be invited to join the selection committee for choosing the chief executive of the Special Administrative Region have split the democratic camp.
Mr Qian, who is chairman of the Preparatory Committee, said China would like to discuss Hong Kong affairs with 'people who have different views on the way and the pace of developing democracy'.
This was seen as extending an olive branch to the pro-democracy camp. Mr Qian's conciliatory remarks came in the wake of indications that the mainland had reached an agreement with the British Government that shipping tycoon Tung Chee-hwa would be named as the first chief executive after the handover.
If the decision has already been made, one must ask whether the selection committee is anything but window dressing. After all, Hong Kong people do not expect a genuine election because China would not allow a poll to be held unless it knows the result in advance.
The same theory also applies to selecting the provisional legislature. Given it is a fait accompli, one wonders what function pro-democracy politicians can serve if they are put on the selection committee.
I welcome Mr Qian's long overdue overtures to the democrat camp, but would like to know what - if anything - is still negotiable. It would be pointless to have a dialogue if China is not prepared to make any concessions.
Apart from creating a conciliatory atmosphere, Mr Qian has also succeeded in dividing the pro-democracy camp into people who are prepared to compromise their principles and those who will stand firm.