Show Hong Kong the way forward, Mr Wen
The popular view holds that the closer economic partnership arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong is the central government's 'big gift' to the city. Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday begged to differ, asserting that the real gift that he was personally delivering was the central leadership's commitment to 'one country, two systems' and a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong. Even though his statement sounded all too familiar, Mr Wen hit the right note, as it marked the first time that an official of his stature from the nation's new leadership has articulated this reassuring message on Hong Kong soil.
Despite the reassurance, however, the premier is likely to find that he will be greeted by a frustrated and expectant public. Hong Kong people feel helpless over what they consider to be an inept administration that has overseen the destruction of their wealth for six long years.
But even as their faith in the Hong Kong government declined, they have shown increasing confidence in the central government. They have seen that it has largely lived up to its promise of not meddling in Hong Kong affairs, apart from occasions when the Hong Kong government invited its intervention, such as on the right of abode issue and, lately, the enactment of laws implementing Article 23 of the Basic Law. They hope to see the central government doing something to lift Hong Kong out of the economic doldrums and break the political stalemate caused by confrontations between an unelected administration and a partially elected legislature.
While Mr Wen has taken the trouble to come here to lift our morale, some legislators yearning for more democracy have teamed up with other activists to organise a big rally tomorrow to vent their anger at that repressive piece of legislation and an administration that is stubbornly determined to push it through. Even if he does not stay long enough to witness the protests planned for tomorrow afternoon, the premier should take as many chances as his itinerary permits to take the social temperature in the city and to understand the mood of Hong Kong people. As a man of the people who takes pride in his humble beginnings, Mr Wen has an image as a leader who can empathise with the people as he hears and feels what they want. The last thing Mr Wen should do is regard the rally, expected to attract tens of thousands of people, as an affront to him personally.
Indeed, the premier is preceded by his reputation as an earnest reformer, a centrist committed to closing the development gap between China's cities and countryside, protecting the environment, and pushing liberalisation in the economic and political systems. He will have the benefit of being part of a leadership team whose performance has been invigoratingly impressive. The decisive steps it took to combat the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome and to launch a study of the constitution to protect private property rights has shown that it is not afraid to be more progressive. If, during his three-day visit, Mr Wen could rub off some of his forward-looking spirit on our reticent leaders and demonstrate to them that the central government was prepared to give Hong Kong more latitude, then he would be doing Hong Kong a great service.
