Shades Off | Hong Kong protesters must focus on attainable goals, such as MPF pension reforms, which Beijing cannot argue against

Public transport workers in France brought Paris and other cities to a grinding halt with rolling strikes to show displeasure with President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to reform the country’s pension system. There is every chance of an equitable outcome; retirement benefits are a grass-roots issue and there is room for negotiation.

Seven months of protests in Hong Kong have highlighted the ineptitude of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s administration and given pan-democrats control of the district councils. Of the demonstrators’ five demands, only one, the withdrawal of the extradition bill behind the discontent, has been attained.

There is still every need for a genuinely independent inquiry into accusations of police brutality. But pushing for Western-style democracy is a lost cause in a country governed by a communist dictatorship that has popular support on the mainland.

The protest movement risks running out of steam unless it focuses on attainable issues. Here is a hint: Article 145 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution that enables two systems of government under one country, states that local authorities are expected to develop and improve social welfare “in the light of the economic conditions and social needs”.