'Two systems', despite initial doubts, has received unanimous praise for ensuring a smooth transition for Hong Kong. However, as can be witnessed by the number of demonstrations each weekend and the critical nature of many Hong Kong publications, there is still a large gulf between the Hong Kong public's cherishing of freedom of expression and the hardline stance against dissent held by the mainland authorities.

News of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Liu Xiaobo , a literary-critic-turned-activist, who helped draft Charter 08 to call for greater freedom of expression and democratic reforms, will have been welcomed by a number of Hongkongers. Had Liu been in Hong Kong, he would have been considered another advocate of free expression, constitutional governance and democratic reforms according to what is enshrined in the Chinese constitution. But Liu is serving an 11-year jail sentence for inciting subversion, and his wife has been under house arrest since the award. Mainland authorities say supporting Liu is akin to encouraging a crime.

And now our own Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen declines to comment on our Nobel prize winner. Given that reticence, perhaps it is in Hong Kong's best interest that the man who will not express an opinion on the award is not leading an administration to legislate against treason, subversion, sedition and theft of state secrets. Tsang implies he decided against this within his term because the people are not ready. The people will be ready for national security legislation so long as they are convinced that the executive which implements these laws is accountable, committed to free expression even when it is critical, and committed to open governance with clearly defined archives, official documents and public data.