Pan-democratic leader Alan Leong hopes to mend ties with Beijing after reform vote

A pan-democratic camp leader hopes to restore "sincere" communication with Beijing after the expected failure of the political reform exercise this week.

The Civic Party's Alan Leong Kah-kit also said his party should bring in young blood and a "local perspective" to its manifesto, and that it was time to look ahead - as far as 2047.

"The voting down of the government's reform proposal is not the end of the world," Leong said, vowing again to reject the package he deems anti-democratic.

Leong lamented the communication breakdown with Beijing. "Many people say I don't know China and I should understand the Chinese way of thinking. I've tried hard. But has Beijing tried to understand our way? And does communication mean surrendering all my principles and imposing all yours on me?"

He said the future of "one country, two systems" would have to be discussed well before it expired in 2047, echoing a point made recently by former chief justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang.