Hong Kong’s pan-democrat lawmakers should accept Beijing’s hand of friendship

Many observers in Hong Kong and Taiwan believe relations have warmed of late between the central government and Hong Kong’s pan-democrats. 

For one thing, nine pan-democratic legislators accepted an invitation to a three-day visit to Dongguan and Shenzhen to learn more about the Greater Bay Area and did not create any trouble to embarrass the hosts. Also, the four disqualified pro-democracy legislators have not been asked to return the full salaries they received before they were ousted. In addition, Wang Zhimin, head of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, on his first visit to the Legislative Council building, invited pan-democratic lawmakers to visit his office in Western district as a gesture of goodwill. 

Some pan-democrats have openly said they were wary of Wang’s invitation. In fact, some are expected to continue to clamour for an end to “one-party dictatorship” in China, even though Wang and other mainland officials have said that such calls run counter to the Chinese constitution – which upholds the leadership of the Communist Party – and is thus “politically unethical”, even illegal.

An effective lawmaking body is necessary for the healthy development of the city. Hong Kong faces many challenges: a limited supply of land for housing, a high cost of living and doing business, and dwindling opportunities and lack of social mobility for our young, just to name a few. Legislators, who are paid handsomely, are expected to discharge their duties as stipulated in Article 73 of the Basic Law, which are primarily to enact and repeal laws, examine the government budget, review the work of the government and debate policies of public interest.