After reprinting on Friday Deng Xiaoping's 1984 reading of the "one country, two systems" formula he had masterminded for Hong Kong, Beijing reiterated what is obvious in the relationship between any government of a sovereign state and a part of its territory.

That is, local autonomy derives from central authorization.

The apparent discrepancy between some of Hong Kong's democracy advocates and Beijing over universal voting practices, which prompted the latter to reissue the late leader's principles on the matter, shows the pressing need for political wisdom essential to keeping Hong Kong stable and prosperous.

It is not about whether or not the people of Hong Kong deserve democracy.

Beijing's promises of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," as well as "a high degree of autonomy" attest to its endorsement of and respect for the territory's pursuit of democracy.

The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the territory's mini-constitution, honours the two pledges in thorough documents for local democratic evolution.

In the law's two appendices, on election of the region's chief executive and formulation of the Legislative Council respectively, there is the wording that any attempts to change current procedures after 2007 should proceed "in an orderly manner and step-by-step."

That did not come out of nowhere.

Hong Kong was never a real democracy during the years of British rule.

Political powers were concentrated at the hands of a London-appointed governor. Laws were made by a nominated Legislative Council, of which the governor was the chairman and controlled a constant majority. In legal terms, the local administration was responsible for and reported to the British royal family only, instead of the local populace.

Hong Kong used to be called a "living fossil" of the early administrative mechanisms of the British Empire, because its structure and procedures of governance had hardly changed in almost 150 years.

Democracy for Hong Kong had never been uttered from any British lips until shortly prior to the territory's official return to China's embrace.

It was the Basic Law that started the region's first serious moves towards genuine democracy. What some democracy advocates want, however, is to set an agenda which disrupts the process that has been stipulated in the Basic Law, which Beijing believes is indispensable for democracy's healthy growth on Hong Kong's soil.

Beijing has done everything in its capacity to help Hong Kong retain its appeal to international investment. Anything destructive to Hong Kong would not be in Beijing's interests.

Its latest call to stick to the basics of "one country, two systems" reflected a strong desire for a common ground in the debates about democratic development in Hong Kong.

Such a common ground is fundamental for a constructive relationship between Hong Kong and Beijing. And Beijing's legitimate concern should be heeded by all in Hong Kong.

(China Daily 02/21/2004 page4)