Letters | Time for Hong Kong to consider what kind of relationship it wants with Beijing
- Hongkongers must be pragmatic and realise the central government will not tolerate any aggressive actions or advocating for Hong Kong independence. It is time to discuss with Beijing what the next 27 years to 2047 will look like
However, time flies. Even though we are only halfway through that duration of time, many substantial incidents have taken place, and now is an appropriate time to review our city’s unconventional political system. I do not think the design of “one country, two systems” has any major problems; instead, the failure comes from the misplaced expectations of all stakeholders in Hong Kong, including the government, all political parties and the public. The pressing need now is to rebuild trust between Beijing and the people of Hong Kong.
05:50
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From the perspective of Hongkongers, we should consider what kind of relationship we aim to maintain with Beijing. After what we experienced last year, we should be more pragmatic and realistic in understanding that Beijing will not tolerate any aggressive actions or advocating of Hong Kong independence. Perhaps it is time for Hong Kong people to communicate or even negotiate with the central government regarding the rest of the period covered by the one country, two systems principle.
13:20
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Politics is the art of compromise. There needs to be give and take to reach consensus, and we must accept that no one gets everything they want at the negotiating table. Maintaining Hong Kong’s prosperity should be our priority, and we should work with the central government to make that happen.
Louis Yim, Shau Kei Wan