If Hong Kong is to be truly autonomous within its Chinese sovereignty, then its government (to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln) must be for the people, of the people and by the people.
Recently, Hong Kong has demonstrated a political maturity and discipline that is matched by its institutions, including the nascent political parties. In general, people here accede to living within Chinese sovereignty, so the central government does not need to keep a tight rein on Hong Kong through the selection process for chief executive or by subsequently directing the leader's actions and decision-making. Hong Kong people deserve a capable government forged by a competent leader who has the intellect and vision to balance their desires and those of the sovereign government. They are too sophisticated to accept a government which establishes its legitimacy by appealing to love of country and glory of race.
The current weak leadership and critically deficient administration must now be replaced with an administration committed to universal suffrage in 2007.
D. CASTLEDINE, Sheung Sze Wan