The one-of-a-kind “one-country, two-systems” policy that links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with mainland China already ensures an inseparable relationship. However, the foundations and development of the two have been as different as night and day, and simple indoctrination about the benefits of integration will only be seen as an annoyance.

As your editorial pointed out, Beijing should actively address the worries, seek solutions to the problems and open up the country, to gain trust from youngsters. That, in my opinion, should be done before any kind of promotion of national identity or patriotism is put in place.

Hong Kong is a part of China, whether you like it or not. But it is equally factual that China is lagging behind on human rights, democracy and economic sustainability. Surely, someday we will merge, but let time do the trick.