It now appears almost certain that there will be at least two candidates from the establishment camp to contest the next chief executive election. The pan- democrats, meanwhile, are also contemplating fielding a candidate.
This is a step forward from previous elections. The last one, in 2007, was the first time the pan-democrats were able to secure enough nominations within the Election Committee to send Alan Leong Kah-kit of the Civic Party to challenge incumbent Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, with much campaign fanfare and televised debates. Tsang won, not just in the so-called 'small circle' election, but also by a wide margin in popularity polls.
The coming election is likely to see some kind of 'primary' contest within both the establishment and pan-democrat camps. If Hong Kong people really believe in the merits of elections, they should seize the opportunity to actively engage the candidates on the basis of their political vision and policy platforms, and not let the discussions be reduced to either 'who would Beijing prefer?' or another argument over rhetoric.
The central government has everything to gain by giving its blessing, so to speak, to more than one establishment figure to run in the race. This is the only way to counter the fatalistic sentiments among many Hongkongers that it will simply impose its choice on Hong Kong, making even a small-circle election a mockery. The pan-democrats should take the election seriously and not just pose as a symbolic challenger. Otherwise, the public will focus their attention on the establishment contest, and sideline the pan-democrats as incapable of taking up governmental power, even though they may be effective as an opposition.
As Hong Kong gears towards universal suffrage in 2017 and a new political culture, all candidates must face the whole population in their campaign. Indeed, Election Committee members will be closely watched by their respective electorates, and the community at large. If the committee returns a candidate who receives wide support from the community, then it will help set a stronger beginning for the next government, otherwise Hong Kong will continue to toil in the political doldrums. The clock cannot be turned back.
Under 'one country, two systems', the chief executive has to serve the dual interests of Beijing and Hong Kong. Within Hong Kong, in order not to let executive authority hollow out further, it is pertinent for the chief executive to strengthen the government's political base through popular legitimacy and a command of majority support in the Legislative Council. Having a de facto popular contest in the coming chief executive election is the first step. Building an effective alliance with a majority of parties and legislators - representing a broad enough range of social interests - should be the next step. Any election and change in government provides an opportunity for community soul-searching and the mapping out of an agenda for change. A real electoral contest should come with extensive public debates on pressing social, economic, sustainability and governance issues, rather than just a canvassing of votes within the Election Committee.
