The possibility that Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa may lead a Legco delegation - including all its 60 members - to Beijing is extremely encouraging.
Last Thursday, when Breakfast Group legislators met Mr Tung, they suggested that he take all 60 legislators to meet state leaders in Beijing. According to Raymond Ho Chung-tai, who represents engineers in the legislature, Mr Tung said he would consider their suggestion.
If it happens, it would show that the central government acknowledges that the Hong Kong legislature, as an institution, should be accorded respect, regardless of the individual views of some members.
It would certainly mark a more pragmatic and professional approach to Hong Kong on the part of the central government, which still refuses to allow many legislators from the democratic camp to enter the mainland.
There are, of course, historical reasons for this attitude, and if the ban is to be lifted, there has to be an understanding that legislators will observe mainland laws and not abuse their status as Hong Kong lawmakers.
Mr Tung, as the leader of Hong Kong, should seek to convince the central government that it would only be right for Legco members to travel to Beijing to meet officials. It is his responsibility to uphold the dignity of the institution, which is enshrined in the Basic Law.
Such a visit, if it materialises, would unite not only the legislature but all of Hong Kong. So far, no legislator has spoken against it, and it is encouraging that quite a few pro-government legislators have urged the central government to meet and listen to the Democrats.
