Despite leadership failings and governance mishaps, former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa should be credited for keeping the pro-Beijing force at a distance from the governing process after the handover.
Indeed, traditional pro-Beijing figures complained of what they deemed as discrimination against them in government involvement - just as they had suffered in the colonial period. They accused the Tung administration of showing bias against them in advisory committee appointments.
Local deputies of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference had been dismayed with Mr Tung's lack of enthusiasm in engaging them in the system.
Insiders said Mr Tung used the honours system to appease the pro-Beijing camp, while resisting their demands for a bigger role in local affairs.
Changes have occurred in the political landscape, after the elevation of Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who was once branded by some pro-Beijing figures as a remnant of the British colonial legacy. Local NPC deputies have for the first time been invited to the Chief Executive's Office to give their views on the policy address as part of the consultation drive.
On Wednesday, Mr Tsang dropped in on a regular session of CPPCC delegates. After a four-hour session, one member said she was impressed with the two-way dialogue. The chief executive has reportedly elaborated on the latest government thinking on the constitutional reform proposal. In the meeting, he also asked for details of Hongkongers who sit on the people's consultative committees at a local level for consideration in advisory committee appointments.
In a related development, it was revealed that a visit by Vice President Zeng Qinghong to a family during his Hong Kong trip was arranged by the pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions. Normally, the Home Affairs Bureau organises such visits.
