A key quality of the future chief executive will be the ability to lobby for Hong Kong within the mainland political system.
The media should question candidates for the post over whether they know what to do.
It may be that the chief executive will have the equivalent of the rank of a minister, and be invited to attend State Council meetings. It is, therefore, essential that he understands how the Chinese Government works.
Further, have the candidates familiarised themselves with regional administration, since within China's hierarchy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) will have the same ranking as provinces and municipalities? The chief executive is expected to also understand thoroughly how the Hong Kong executive, legislative and judicial systems work.
There will be defence and diplomatic matters beyond the SAR's autonomy where Hong Kong officials will have to liaise with the Chinese Government, like they do with London at present. One of the tasks of the chief executive designate will be to help establish these channels before July 1, 1997. Familiarity with the mainland and Hong Kong administration structures is essential.
Other key mainland institutions the candidates should know about are the military, public security and the Chinese Communist Party. The People's Liberation Army will have a substantial presence in the SAR and Shenzhen. The chief executive designate may have an opportunity to discuss with PLA leaders and the State Council what relationship he should have with the head of the SAR garrison.