OpinionNo room for confusion over HK autonomy

Mainland visitors are proving the truth of the saying that it is possible to have too much of a good thing. More than 28 million came last year, outnumbering tourists from the rest of the world put together. Now, at the request of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, mainland authorities have agreed to put on hold plans to allow 4.1 million non-permanent Shenzhen residents to come here on multiple-entry permits.

Ironically, Hong Kong asked the mainland to send us more tourists during the Asian financial crisis to help revitalise our economy, and Beijing was happy to oblige. In fact, Chinese leaders have made it clear they want to help. So far, Beijing has never said "no" to any request from Hong Kong.

It was perhaps in the spirit of helping Leung that the central government allowed him to call in the Japanese consul general, Yuji Kumamaru, after a group of Hong Kong residents was detained by Japan after landing on a disputed island in the East China Sea.

It was natural for Leung to voice concern about Hong Kong residents and to call for their release. After all, it is his responsibility to ensure their safety.

Two years ago, then chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen tried but failed to get in touch with the Philippine president, Benigno Aquino, while Hong Kong tourists were being held hostage in Manila. Tsang was trying to bring about the safe release of the hostages.

Under the concept of "one country, two systems", Beijing is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. However, Article 13 of the Basic Law says the central government authorises Hong Kong "to conduct relevant external affairs on its own". Presumably, the Diaoyu Islands issue was an instance when Beijing authorised Hong Kong to do so.