The convenor of Hong Kong's appointed executive council, Leung Chun-ying, warns of a “serious confrontation” and a “constitutional crisis” should Hong Kong people ever be allowed to vote for a leader they want, rather than one Beijing favors. Like Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang does, Leung has Beijing’s blessings but no public mandate.

Leung calls Beijing’s power to appoint Hong Kong’s chief executive “substantive, not ceremonial…. The timing of universal suffrage is only one outstanding issue we need to address. Current debates have not given serious consideration to the power of appointment of the central government…. Any model for universal suffrage should pay heed to averting a confrontation.”

Such talk reduces Hong Kong’s political aspirations to dust. Frankly, the sooner and the more firmly that Hong Kong people can stand up to Beijing’s tyrannical tendencies, the more traces of dignity and autonomy they’ll maintain. Confronting the central government may seem risky to Leung, but the alternative leaves Hong Kong as a doormat.

Leung calls Hong Kong’s political structure “transitional”. More accurately, it’s “frustrating”, “humiliating”, “unjust” and “disgraceful”. The same adjectives apply to what Tsang, Leung and their Beijing bosses envision for the future.

There’s neither progress, nor improvement, until all Hong Kong people hold political power, having wrested it from the central government. Fairness will prevail only when people from across the political spectrum can aspire to govern and can run for office without interference from the north.

Will political progress and a “high degree of autonomy” ever materialize? No sign of them yet.

ARCHIVES