Call it reconciliation or not, there are signs of a gradual defrosting in the icy relationship between the democratic camp in Hong Kong, and Beijing.
Speaking to reporters in Tunisia last week, Vice-President Zeng Qinghong gave the strongest indication yet of a significant adjustment of policy towards the pro-democracy forces.
Referring to the call for reconciliation by some democrats, he said reconciliation was not an issue because there was no conflict between central government and the democrats akin to the hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Zeng, the highest official in charge of Hong Kong policy, said better communication could reduce mutual misunderstanding.
If there had been mixed, and at times contradictory, responses from mainland officials and the pro-Beijing camp to the democrats' overtures in the past three weeks, Mr Zeng set the record straight and cleared the path for the resumption of full dialogue and communication.
Mr Zeng's conciliatory remarks were made at about the same time that senior mainland officials toned down their rhetoric on the July 1 rally. Officials have reiterated that the day should be an occasion for celebration, but they have avoided raising the temperature further by warning people not to take to the streets.
This is perhaps because mainland officials have become resigned to the reality of a high turnout at Thursday's rally. Their first and foremost task is therefore to avoid provoking the public sentiments that could prompt more people to come out on July 1.
