In a classic display of 'good cop', 'bad cop' tactics, Hong Kong-based mainland officials have attempted to quell the looming political storm over the term of the next chief executive.
Taking a softer approach, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Yang Wenchang called on the government and legal profession to sit down and work out a solution, to avoid an escalation of the issue.
However, Li Gang, a deputy director of the central government's liaison office, gave a veiled warning that 'the National People's Congress will not just sit back and do nothing. Should the need arise, of course an interpretation will be made'.
With the fate of the Link Reit listing in the balance following an 11th-hour legal challenge, the National People's Congress Standing Committee looks set to interpret the Basic Law provisions to cushion the chief executive election law against a similar challenge in the courts.
Indeed, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung has moved to prepare for a government climbdown on its previous position that it had no plans to seek an interpretation. On Sunday, Mr Lam said that the administration would 'act according to the situation'.
The marked change of tack came in the midst of lingering doubts over a plan to amend the Chief Executive Election Ordinance so that Tung Chee-hwa's successor would only serve out his remaining term.
