However, these are superficial differences and similarities. They should not blur the real significance of the contest, which concerns the meaning of 'one country, two systems' and Hong Kong's 'high degree of autonomy'. Mrs Chan and the democratic camp stand for the belief that the people should be allowed to decide what they want for Hong Kong; provided that falls within the Basic Law, Beijing should respect it. In that context, at least procedurally, the Hong Kong government must start with ascertaining the public's wishes.

Mrs Ip and the patriotic camp stand for the brand of 'patriotism' that requires the people to subsume their wishes to whatever Beijing decides is best for the nation or Hong Kong. To facilitate a harmonious relationship, Beijing's wishes must be ascertained before the people are asked about what they want, or are given a choice.

Thus, the question is not whether democracy is desirable in principle, but whether Hongkongers should be encouraged to fight for it before Beijing has given a green light. A democratic moderate like Mrs Chan would say 'yes', while suggesting tactics for negotiation and grounds for compromise to enable some progress to be achieved.

A patriotic moderate like Mrs Ip would answer 'no', on the grounds that doing so might annoy Beijing and only make things worse for Hong Kong. In a way, it is a battle about Hong Kong's degree of autonomy to decide its future. As in every election, the electorate is also being put to the test: which way do we want to move? Which set of values do we believe should represent the values of the community?

Supporting Mrs Chan means supporting the fight for democracy along moderate lines - even if that means it would take longer to achieve. Support for Mrs Ip means entrusting Beijing to do the best for Hong Kong - even if it means an indefinite wait for democracy.

Interestingly, the by-election echoes the chief executive contest between Alan Leong Kah-kit and Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, with one vital difference. Both Mr Leong and Mr Tsang presented moderate platforms. But, when asked who should be our next leader, people shied away from Mr Leong on two grounds: he lacked administrative experience and was not Beijing's choice. Mrs Chan has ample administrative experience; the question is Beijing's backing.

In the chief executive election, people had no vote. In the by-election, it's one person, one vote. So, who will the people choose? How decisive is the Beijing factor?

Central government officials should be prompted to rethink their stance towards the democrats, because the by-election outcome may set the path of governance for Hong Kong. If governance and social injustice worsened under an authoritarian administration, moderate democrats would find it more difficult to command support.

With the weakening of moderate democrats, radicalism would gain force within the democratic camp. Beijing would then face the emergence of a turbulent situation in Hong Kong, because the voice of democracy will not be silenced.

Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee is a legislator representing the legal profession and a founding member of the