Even if you can't beat them, join them

If a Martian landed in Hong Kong, he could be forgiven for not knowing that an election was taking place in less than three months to choose the special administrative region's next leader. This is because the public knows Beijing has handpicked a successor to the inept Tung Chee-hwa, and the so-called election on July 10 by 800 committee members is a formality.

In the past few weeks, the people have been recovering from the shock of Mr Tung's sudden departure, and many are pleased that he has finally gone. Thus, when the central government hinted that it had anointed Donald Tsang Yam-kuen as the next chief executive, many reacted with relief.

To the Hong Kong people, the die has been cast and they are willing to give Mr Tsang the benefit of the doubt. Some are tired of the incessant debate on constitutional reform and are not bothered about the reinterpretation of the Basic Law on the term of next chief executive, although they sense that Beijing has once again ridden roughshod over the SAR.

Like many people, I am pleased to see the back of Mr Tung. But, although his departure was very much a response to public demand, this does not mean Hong Kong has democracy. In the next few months, the pro-democracy movement will have to redouble its efforts to organise a big march for democracy on July 1 - just nine days before the so-called election.

Since Mr Tsang is a sure bet for the job, it is futile for other pro-Beijing candidates to challenge him. If members of the pro-democracy movement do take part, they will not even get the required 100 nominations from the 800-member Election Committee. Despite this hopeless situation, I still think it is worthwhile for the democrats to consider taking part in the farce, as long as they can further the cause of democracy.

On April 2, The Frontier held an extraordinary general meeting to discuss this hot topic. After a heated three-hour discussion, members passed a motion by a vote of 41-6 to support the pro-democracy movement taking part to challenge the small-circle election and advance the cause of democracy.