I refer to the article headlined 'Tung wins backing of state leaders' (Sunday Morning Post, July 20).
It stated that the central government has pledged its all-out support for Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, saying it has absolute confidence in his ability to see Hong Kong through its political crisis.
Our political crisis is not Article 23. No citizen in any country would be against a sedition or subversion law as long as it is worded to the satisfaction of the people.
The political crisis is caused by Hong Kong people's wish that our government evolve into a democratic one at the pace specified in the Basic Law. But Mr Tung feels that the pace of democratisation should be slower. Here lies the conflict.
Instead of continually reiterating its support for Mr Tung, the central government can defuse the situation by declaring that it will leave the decision on the pace of democratisation to the people of Hong Kong, as long as there is adherence to the Basic Law. Or it can suggest a different pace of democratisation for Hong Kong people to consider.
ALEX WOO, Tsim Sha Tsui
