That Beijing was stunned by pro-government parties’ landslide defeat suggests a lack of transparent communication. It would benefit both sides if direct channels were established between Hongkongers and mainland officials.

Hong Kong can make the case that democratisation will produce leaders who are better able to manage Hong Kong and improve the city’s ability to serve China’s interests as an economic superpower.

Indiscriminate violence, whether deployed by protesters or pro-government thugs, destroys Hong Kong’s reputation for pluralism. If both sides turn a blind eye to violence perpetrated by affiliates, hopes for democracy will recede further.

There is no single grievance and no magic bullet. The government should stop inferring and start listening to the plurality of young people’s views, give them a greater voice in policymaking and commit to genuine political reform.

Protesters feel that if they stop or restrict themselves to non-violent methods the government will concede nothing. Both sides need to de-escalate, but the responsibility falls on the government to take the initiative.

While protesters must stop their inflammatory rhetoric, the police must revisit its protocol for handling mass protests, reflect on its belligerence towards protesters and use the opportunity to increase transparency.

Whatever you think of their actions, a good number of young Hongkongers feel their options have been exhausted. t’s time for political moderates who have Beijing’s ear to step up and broker dialogue between the administration and protesters.

If the government could internalise dissenting opinions and concerns, Carrie Lam would find her future years as Hong Kong’s chief executive a far smoother ride

Ruling is a giant step forward for LGBT activism, but it is by no means adequate as an answer to calls for progress and equality

Taiwan showed that the government can take an active role in shaping consensus, that legislators can speak up for their LGBT constituents and that there is nothing anti-Asian about diversity.

Embracing either Hong Kong localism or Chinese nationalism is not the way forward for a city that has long benefited from its unique mix of East and West. Hongkongers must move away from both extremes.

It’s in the interests of both the pan-democrats and the pro-Beijing crowd to work together on issues of importance to Hongkongers, from housing to education and equality.

The Lantau Tomorrow Vision will take too long to implement for a city where thousands sleep in substandard subdivided accommodation

The law and employment contracts that supposedly protect foreign women who come seeking domestic work only go so far, as shown by the recent sacking of a cancer-stricken helper. Hongkongers should demand decent treatment for these invaluable workers.

Empirically Hong Kong’s migrant workers contribute more than they take away, and morally they are deserving of the same treatment as those raised here.

We must start taking the problems of our racism towards foreign or minority students seriously, writes Brian YS Wong.

Symbolic acts of militarism help release the pressure of more destructive domestic nationalism, hold the US at bay and add credibility to overtures to Taiwan.

While contesting elections is a valuable experience for young people, they could also consider other forms of public service, such as taking part in government schemes or joining non-profit organisations.

The creation of genetically modified babies who are said to be able to resist HIV infection flouts ethical and legal standards.

Having open and competitive elections in Hong Kong serves the interests of both Hong Kong and the mainland’s Communist leaders.

Hongkongers who miss British rule should be mindful of how its other colonies, from India to states in the Middle East and Africa, suffered so that Britain could prosper.