Can we set a good example - for Beijing?
Could Hong Kong become a role model for a democratic China? That question was posed to Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in the Legislative Council on Thursday. In raising it, Democrat lawmaker James To Kun-sun was trying to unravel comments in the chief executive's policy address of the day before.
Mr Tsang's reply: don't go too far with that line of thinking. In his speech, Mr Tsang had said: 'Time and again, we have asked ourselves: What will become of Hong Kong? Who are we? To free ourselves from doubt and confusion, we have to see Hong Kong from the perspective of our country's future.
'We promote democratic development without compromising social stability or government efficiency ... We cherish the freedom of individuals and pluralism, and we have a shared sense of national identity. Hong Kong will certainly continue to serve the country in our unique way.'
In his reply to Mr To, Mr Tsang stressed that the city's political and legal systems were different from the mainland's. 'I have never thought of imposing our values on the mainland,' he said. 'Don't read too much into it.'
Mr To can be pardoned for feeling puzzled about the conceptual utterances - such as 'new Hongkongers' and 'new direction' - that Mr Tsang mentioned on Wednesday.
Mr Tsang called on Hongkongers to adopt a new mindset to achieve another golden decade by shaking free of the self-doubt that has gripped the city since the handover. He was vague about the 'new Hongkongers' concept, but clearer on a policy tilt towards closer and deeper integration with the mainland.
For instance, the vision of developing the Hong Kong-Shenzhen metropolis - which he floated during his election campaign - has now been put on his policy agenda. Cross-border links feature prominently in his multibillion-dollar infrastructure programmes.
Heeding advice that President Hu Jintao gave him at a handover anniversary reception in June, he said the government would 'make every effort to promote national education'. For example, schools would be encouraged to stage more national flag-raising ceremonies.
No doubt it's increasingly important for Hongkongers to have a better understanding of the nation. There is enormous room for joint developments across the border that could benefit all. But while we are identifying that 'new direction' and defining 'new Hongkongers', we must not short-sell the values and uniqueness of Hong Kong that contributed to its past success.
As Mr Tsang rightly pointed out, Hongkongers have shown their entrepreneurial spirit by investing in the mainland - and their adaptability by developing their careers there - over the past three decades. They have made progress towards democracy without causing social instability or an administrative gridlock.
It could be argued that it is our government - not our enterprises and individuals - that has failed to cope with the fast-paced changes in Hong Kong, on the mainland and in the rest of the world. There are plenty of cases showing how ill-advised government policies and strategies, and bureaucratic paranoia, have undermined the city's strengths and competitiveness.
But this city and the mainland also have a successful record of mutually leveraging each other's strengths in the push for progress. So there is no reason why the mainland could not learn from Hong Kong, if our democratic development succeeds - just as it does in the economic arena.
One can only hope the notion of 'new Hongkongers' is political jargon aimed at instilling a symbolic sense of change - rather than a political campaign for changing people's mindsets.
That would risk eroding the city's unique strengths and character.
