The more dialogue the better over democratisation in Hong Kong

Dialogue is essential if Hong Kong's democratisation process is to move forward. And the fact that Zhang Xiaoming , director of the central government's liaison office, was prepared to sit down to a Legco lunch last month with radicals such as "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung and Albert Chan Wai-yip means there may be hope.

It would seem that the Leung Chun-ying administration is ready to get the ball rolling too, after he hosted a dinner over a week ago for pan-democrats and academics, even as executive councillor Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fan and Exco convenor Lam Woon-kwong (albeit in a "personal capacity") separately met with Democratic Party members.

And even if the Legislative Council lunch and Government House dinner were said to be mere "social" events, they were nevertheless opportunities for dialogue and will, hopefully, lead to greater things. The biggest political elephant roaming the streets is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Despite the agreeable nature of both gatherings, the task of finding a democratic process that all parties can accept remains daunting.

And if political realities aren't faced, as Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing - referring to the much-debated screening mechanism for the nomination of future chief executive candidates - called for Beijing to do and be ready to give Hong Kong real choices, stalemate is inevitable.

For one, it's going to take a lot of frank discussions. The government needs to get at least two-thirds of Legco and the central government to support its constitutional reform proposal. So change can only come if members of all three parties are resolved on finding solutions. It will take every ounce of political will from all to keep their minds open, allow room for latitude and be willing to compromise - a lot.