The big deal of the week was state leader Zhang Dejiang’s visit here. This high-ranking Politburo Standing Committee official, responsible for policies over Hong Kong, declared on arrival that he had come “to see, to listen and to speak”. The simplicity of this statement went down well and set the right tone for his visit. Speak Zhang did. In his keynote address at the “One Belt, One Road” summit, he outlined the vital role this city could play in supporting the Chinese initiative to connect with the rest of Asia, the Middle East and Europe via new trading , financial and economic links by air, land and sea. He enumerated the many opportunities now open to us, and , above all, he told us how great we were with unique strengths, seldom seen elsewhere. How’s that for recognition! Listen Zhang did, too, to different opinions. What stood out was his meeting, eyeball to eyeball, with four pan-democrat legislators: leaders of the Democratic Party, Civic Party and Labour Party and the health services lawmaker. These legislators lost no time in suggesting ways and means , however brazen and mean, to overcome the current political polarisation. It was widely reported that Zhang took everything in good stride, thus auguring well for future communications. From the brief 48-hour visit, the message, which came through loud and clear, was Zhang’s determination to uphold the “one country two systems” principle under the Basic Law. By connotation , therefore, independence. autonomy and separatism are no-go zones. ‘We’re all in the same boat,’ he said before a gathering of ingratiating celebrities, posing for the group photograph to commemorate his visit. The inference to be drawn from this maritime metaphor is not to rock the boat or we’d all have to pay a price – mai dan – footing the bill in colloquial parlance. Overall, the visit went well but was all too fleeting and symbolic. It’s said leaders don’t just talk. They walk the talk by action. Lest the boon of Zhang’s successful visit turn into a boondoggle, follow-up action is necessary. Beijing needs not only to walk the talk but to go the extra mile. It needs to communicate with politicians from different backgrounds and different political persuasions. This need is not borne of soft-soap public relations but it is demanded by hard-nosed tough reality. This is in the wider interest of society to prevent it from all coming apart. All this might be difficult, but worth it! Elizabeth Wong Chien Chi-lien was secretary for health and welfare from 1990 to 1994 and a lawmaker from 1995 to 1997
