Opinion

Hong Kong has a great, stable future – if Hongkongers can connect directly with Beijing

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

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A man holds a banner that reads in Chinese, “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" during a rally in Wan Chai on December 8. Photo: AFP

Brian Wong is an assistant professor in philosophy at the University of Hong Kong, and a Rhodes Scholar and adviser on strategy for the Oxford Global Society.

Published: 11:00am, 13 Dec 2019Updated: 11:39am, 13 Dec 2019

Regardless of people’s political orientation, there’s one uniting theme in Hong Kong: the deeply flawed and inadequate governance. Events over the past six months strongly suggest political reform is needed to safeguard “one country, two systems” and ensure a tenable, mutually beneficial relationship with Beijing.

Here are five reforms that any government – whether it be under Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor or an eventual successor – ought to consider, to restore normalcy to civic life and mainland relations.

First, the political system must be reformed so appointees are selected not only based on technocratic merit or partisan loyalty, but also political competence and savviness.

Many past and present appointees have considerable technical expertise and impeccable credentials, yet they lack political skills like communication, lobbying and persuasion – which would have been helpful in bracing the administration for the public backlash over the summer.

Endemic issues of recalcitrance and unresponsiveness extend beyond the now-withdrawn extradition bill. The government must consider hiring people with talent and experience in public policymaking and empathetic deliberation – particularly young, aspiring public servants who have strong, qualified views on the city’s blueprint for the future.

Appointees also need a clearer and enforceable mandate, to liaise with the public and pressure groups, particularly those the administration has traditionally neglected. A more proactive governing cabinet would be pivotal to finding room for convergence between Beijing’s desire to win Hongkongers’ hearts and minds and their wish for greater political autonomy.