China’s Two Sessions

With power concentrated in the hands of a small number of gatekeepers, will there be meaningful competition in the chief executive election? Even if pro-democracy candidates can overcome the tough entry barriers, will any want to take part in legislative elections?

Officials say the reforms are necessary to improve governance, but the revamp also makes the goal of universal suffrage even more distant.

Beijing-imposed electoral reform has left some feeling despondent but there is still an opportunity for dialogue that must be seized.

If Beijing’s electoral rollback is the stick while the push to resolve the housing problem – among other livelihood issues – is supposed to be the carrot, then most likely, Hong Kong people will end up with a heavy stick over their heads rather than a proper roof.

China’s rapidly ageing population means action is needed sooner rather than later as the country aims to adjust the retirement age for all to 65.

China’s stable development depends on a “dual circulation” economy, in which domestic consumption shoulders a lot of the growth presently generated by manufactured exports

Officials admit that some Hongkongers will be disappointed by the changes to the city’s electoral system that were approved last week. That is putting it mildly

As Beijing embarks on a strategy to boost its domestic market and tech exports, it must be careful not to let nationalist sentiment get in the way of its plans.

Innovation and technological development drive productivity growth and thus are the top priority in the new five-year plan. Investment in frontier fields, R&D, infrastructure, green manufacturing and more form the core of plans for long-term growth.

Hong Kong needs a voice in a China that is becoming more economically integrated, and that cannot be provided by a local chief executive. Such leadership would integrate Hong Kong’s rather separate economy more closely into China, supporting local people as they build careers on the mainland.

If the government wants to diminish people’s electoral rights, it needs to give something back by improving their living standards and housing conditions.

With Beijing pushing ahead in its electoral shake-up of Hong Kong and universal suffrage further away than ever, room should be allowed for different voices and those with bright ideas, creative solutions and strong political skills