Beijing might not be the most fashionable destination for a summer trip, but this year the capital city is playing host to a steady stream of distinguished guests from Hong Kong as the central government seeks to assess the situation in the wake of the mass protest on July 1.
Professionals, politicians and government officials continue to make the trip north to meet a range of mainland officials. Whether seen as an attempt to bolster support for Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, or simply as part of an effort by the mainland to show more interest in Hong Kong, the visits offer an intriguing snapshot of cross-border relations at a critical time.
Last week's trip by a delegation of almost 50 lawyers focused on two issues key to the difficult question of how the 'one country, two systems' concept plays out in the legal arena. The first was the extent to which Hong Kong lawyers are to be given greater access to the mainland market, the prime reason for the visit. The second was the issue that led to the demonstration by half a million: how to proceed with national security legislation required by Article 23 of the Basic Law.
The legal trip became a subject of controversy before the delegates had even boarded the plane. Why, people asked, had invitations not been issued to prominent members of the Bar Association known for their strong anti-government stance on Article 23?
If the central government really wanted to know what was going on in Hong Kong, surely it needed to hear the voices of these outspoken critics. Was the Bar Association being marginalised?
Alan Hoo, one of the deputy heads of the delegation, bristles at the idea anyone may think the group to be a body of pro-Beijing yes-men.
'I will take great offence at any such suggestion. If there is any question about my intellectual integrity and independence, then I find it most objectionable.'