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Sing Tao Daily 2010-03-04 F05 Lower expectation on result of exchange to promote understanding

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The suggestion by Legislative

Council President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing that all Legco members make a trip to the mainland

to try the Wuhan-Guangzhou high speed rail and visit the Shanghai Expo has received

positive response from the Central Government's representative in Hong Kong. Pan-

democratic camp councillors, meanwhile, have promptly stated that the proposed trip would

in no way change their position on constitutional development. Whether constitutional

reform issues would be raised during the trip would hang on whether the two sides are

willing to express goodwill to build a platform for exchange of views in the spirit of mutual

trust, so that discussions on future issues, including the constitutional reform, may be

conducted under an atmosphere of mutual respect. This would facilitate the development and

operation of the Hong Kong community. Differences in political views have created an abyss

between Beijing and many pan-democratic camp members. But as Hong Kong's political

atmosphere changes, their relationship is not always tense. For the smooth operation of the

Hong Kong community the two sides must look for common grounds despite their difference

in opinions. The community responded positively every time the Central Government offered

to break the ice with the pan-democratic camp by actions such as inviting the Legco to form

a group to visit Guangzhou or the Sichuan earthquake site. This is an indication of the

people's wishes. High-speed rail-cum-Expo trip signifies mutual goodwill .The relationship

between Hong Kong and the mainland has become closer after the handover. The mainstream

wish of the community is to maintain a good relationship with the Central Government.

While identifying with certain ideas and values espoused by the pan-democratic camp, the

people do not want a confrontation between the two parties. Their views were reflected in

election results and opinion surveys. The last proposal on constitutional reform was rejected

as it did not get the required votes in Legco, and political reforms had come to a standstill.

The support for the SAR government and the councillors both dropped, showing that

uncompromising and confrontational attitudes are not conducive to the progress of

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democratization. To continue to get public support so as to have a role to play in political

reforms and other issues, the pan-democratic camp must build more channels and create

more room for communication and discussion. In the latest round of consultation on political

reforms, a rift has appeared within the pan-democratic camp over strategies. Some political

parties brought street-level tactics into the council, and barged ahead with the "referendum"

plan to quit the seats in five constituencies even before the plan was tabled for discussion.

The faction led by the Democratic Party, meanwhile, opted for a relatively moderate line, and

made suggestions formally. While the chance of reaching an agreement in the end is slim, at

least the latter has displayed a stance that allows for discussion and communication. It may

not be best to go after by-elections. The mainland trip now being proposed is expected to be

made at a time when campaigning is in progress for the five vacated seats. This would also

avoid the problem of having to include League of Social Democrats members.

Some councillors believed the trip should better be made after the resigned councillors have

returned to the council. However, the expected results may not be achieved from a political

and practical level, because on the basis of past experience, certain council members are not

interested in visiting the mainland for closed-door exchanges. To these councillors, the

highlight of these meetings is for them to shout a few slogans and walk out. As the relation

between these councillors and the Central Government has become tenser due to the

"referendum" move, any exchanges would be counterproductive. The public would,

therefore, understand if these members were not included in the visit, and may not insist on

seeing the

delegation comprising all possible council members. As council politics becomes more

radical, disruptions and storms in the process could become a good chance for pan-

democratic camp parties to rethink their roles as the opposition. The Central Government had

in the past tried to set up meetings with different parties in the Legco. However, as the results

had not been satisfactory, such exchanges have been suspended for some time.

A trip by the full council now could signify the reopening of communication, hence one

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should not be too demanding on practical results. If both sides can put aside differences to

meet and achieve better understanding, it is worth doing even if the meeting brings no direct

results on the political reform proposals.

Vocabularypromptly (adv) goodwill (n) platform (n) atmosphere (n) facilitate (v) abyss (n) espouse (v) confrontation (n) standstill (n) uncompromising (adj) Legislative Council President

pan-democratic camp constitutional development mutual respect common ground 1.Who is proposing a trip by the Legco to the mainland?

2.According to the article, should the trip be made after the by-elections?

3.What would an exchange between Legco and the Central Government now signify?

4.Does the article suggest members of the League of Social Democrats go on the trip?5.In Vocabulary, the word __________ means "no progress".

Answers

1. Council President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing. 2. No.

3. The reopening of communication. 4. No. 5. standstill

Ming Pao Daily News 2010-03-04 - E08 Editorial

Innovative businesses

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downtown areas is very innovativeindeed. People who have come up with the idea havetried

to start innovative businesses. They should berewarded rather than punished. To bureaucrats,

it isconvenient to crack down on activities impermissibleunder the laws in force. They can, if

they do so, avoidcarrying the can can. However, if safety and noise. problems of rooftop

barbecue venues can besatisfactorily solved, life in Hong Kong would be 3 3--DDrather thanjust 2 2--D, and the city's landscape willsuddenly become quite different.

Innovations are essential to social progress andeconomic development. However, innovations

arelikely to be at odds with rules or regulations in force. Itis not bureaucrats' job to foster

economicdevelopment. It is therefore totally understandable forthem to remain in a rut or do

things by the book.

However, Hong Kong desperately needs innovationsthat may help make it more colourful

and invigorateand diversify its economy. Bureaucrats must changetheir minds. It is important

that, even if they are neithercreative nor innovative, they must not rashly stranglechanges that

may result from citizens' innovations.Even though they cannot contribute to progress,

theymust try not to impede progress. That is whatbureaucrats must bear in mind.

2010.03.03

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