A Hong Kong NPC deputy arrived in Beijing yesterday hoping to help break the ice between the central leadership and the city's pro-democracy camp. David Chu Yu-lin took with him a list of democrats he recommends the leaders should meet. Political tensions have eased since the democrats offered Beijing an olive branch two weeks ago. They said they were prepared to take a less-confrontational approach in return for better communication with the central leaders. Mr Chu, a lawmaker for the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, said last week he would suggest officials give home-return permits to 20 democrats to enable them to visit the mainland. Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said during a visit to Shaoguan, Guangdong, that Hong Kong people enjoyed freedom of assembly and expression while treasuring the city's relationship with the central government. Eleven representatives of the University of Hong Kong students' union, meanwhile, began their first formal visit to Beijing since the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in 1989.
