The issue of pregnant mainlanders giving birth in Hong Kong has proved to be a tricky problem and has attracted attention at the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference meetings.
It is, after all, an internal affair for the Hong Kong government to resolve. But a proposal from former justice secretary Elsie Leung Oi-sie, who is now vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee, to seek an interpretation by Beijing triggered a petition by 30 Hong Kong NPC delegates supporting her call.
This extraordinary move not only undermines the authority of the Hong Kong government and the authority of the Court of Final Appeal, it also undercuts the principles of 'one country, two systems' and weakens the city's high degree of autonomy.
Since Tung Chee-hwa - Hong Kong's first chief executive - stepped down, we have witnessed a gradual change in the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' policy. During the first seven years after the handover, the central government seemed to abide by the policy. But, now, it is a different story.
Several years ago, Cao Erbao, the head of research in Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, was already talking about the possibility of setting up a second governing force in Hong Kong. Soon after, we saw the involvement of the liaison office in many Hong Kong affairs, including local elections. It is said to have supported pro-Beijing and pro-establishment candidates at the 2008 Legislative Council election and at last year's district council polls.
It seems clear that the liaison office has persistently and egregiously violated the policy of 'one country, two systems'.
With both a chief executive election and Legco election this year, it is vital for the liaison office to begin fully respecting the policy that gives Hong Kong autonomy.
