A bend in the political road
Hong Kong's political development seems certain to be affected by the re-emergence of two former, high-ranking officials on the scene. But it remains anybody's guess what the endgame will be, now that former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang and former secretary for security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee have stepped forward.
However different their motives and ultimate goals may be, the two seem to agree that the political system's vulnerabilities are increasing. Put plainly, the issue of universal suffrage can no longer be allowed to drag on; the rules of the game must be revamped.
Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club on Wednesday, Mrs Chan told the story of King Canute to describe the futility of trying to 'command the rising tide to go back'.
'The tide of support for universal suffrage will not be turned back, and ... seeking to maintain the status quo indefinitely is not an option,' she said.
Mrs Chan also said last week that she planned to set up a core group to help find the way forward for democratic development. In response, Mrs Ip said she would be happy to discuss with Mrs Chan ways to attain the early introduction of universal suffrage. In her master's thesis, Mrs Ip had expressed cautious optimism that universal suffrage could be implemented in 2012.
Although Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has not made any commitment on a timetable for universal suffrage, he has said publicly that he would like to see it happen as soon as possible.
Mr Tsang and the two former senior officials clearly have their own political agendas and different game plans.
Yet, they have also demonstrated a sense of shared awareness about the flaws and deficiencies of the present political system. If those faults are left unattended, then strong, effective governance will be a mere slogan.
The trio initially followed the same route to power and influence under the colonial system. Now they find themselves in unique positions in the political game, nine years after the handover.
Only Mr Tsang is still in the administration. Both Mrs Chan and Mrs Ip, who were establishment figures, have become active political players outside the establishment.
In hindsight, the July 1 rally in 2003 altered the course of Hong Kong's political development. It changed the mindsets of the three establishment figures, and they accepted the reality that the political status quo would no longer work in the fast-changing political scene.
Both Mrs Chan and Mrs Ip have underlined the importance of the development of political parties. Mrs Chan has argued that lawmakers should be given more responsibilities in the political system.
It is too early to say whether the pair's remarks on political parties have actually moved Hong Kong a step closer to giving elected politicians more powers in policy-making.
Nor is it clear whether Beijing has decided to make it easier for political parties to develop - widely seen as an essential ingredient in the maturation of democracy.
It's interesting that the new momentum for democratic change is being driven, at least partly, by two former civil servants. That fact alone could mark a significant turning point in the course of the debate on constitutional reform.
Both women have decided to form their own groups of thinkers and advisers, to help influence the public debate on political and policy issues.
Trained as politically neutral civil servants, both Mrs Chan and Mrs Ip have come a long way to find new roles on the political scene. They are now one step closer to dipping into party politics.
How they interact, and align themselves, with political forces and business interests will have a significant impact on Hong Kong's political development.
Chris Yeung is the Post's editor-at-large
