We will work hard to enhance Hong Kong people's ... sense of national identity ... We will help those who still have doubts about, or feel antagonistic towards, the central government to change their minds...
'With a growing sense of national identity, Hong Kong people will be able to play a positive role in, and make new contributions to, the peaceful rise and revival of our great nation.'
The two quotes above, from Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's policy address, reveal a lot about the subtle change in the dynamics shaping mainland-Hong Kong relations under the 'one country, two systems' policy.
Originally designed as a model for reunifying Taiwan, the idea of keeping the city's unique systems intact within socialist China had been viewed as a win-win formula. While upholding sovereignty, the policy allows Hong Kong to preserve its capitalist systems and lifestyle, as well as running its own affairs with a high degree of autonomy.
In stark contrast to the upbeat feelings about Hong Kong at the handover, the black mood and sense of unease was clear in Mr Tung when, during last week's policy address, he criticised his own governance over the past seven years.
By making references to national identity, he seemed to suggest that people's failure to fully embrace the notion of 'one country' has undermined stability and harmony in society, and in mainland-Hong Kong relations. Without these, he fears, the city could become a source of trouble and worry for Beijing.
Grilled by reporters at a post-policy-address press conference, Mr Tung declined to identify the main culprits. The Chinese-language Ming Pao, however, quoted Lau Siu-kai, head of the Central Policy Unit, as saying that Mr Tung was referring to the democrats in their fight for a referendum on universal suffrage.
