Lo Man-tuen writes that non-establishment legislators should accept the olive branch the central government is extending on Home Return Permits and begin

building trust to become a loyal opposition in the SAR

The central government authorities' decision to accept applications by opposition members for Home Return Permits is to honor the promise by Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang, made at his meeting with opposition lawmakers during his previous visit to the SAR in May.

The move carries three key messages: First, the central government acknowledges that the majority of the opposition camp love the country and the SAR and uphold the Basic Law and "One Country, Two Systems" principle, and differentiates them clearly from those who advocate Hong Kong independence. They are welcomed to visit - for sightseeing, family reunions or any other kind of exchanges - and thereby better understand the immense changes and development the country has undergone. Second, the central government's attitude toward the opposition is not just magnanimous, it also has expectations for them - hoping that they will become a constructive force in the SAR. Third, Beijing hopes to communicate with them, and the issuance of Home Return Permits is just the beginning. The central government departments concerned will set up mechanisms for communication and exchanges with them, meaning mutual interactions and discussions will continue and become more frequent.

What has enabled the central government to implement "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong is naturally a broad mind. And Hong Kong residents would love to see Beijing make such a gesture of goodwill toward the opposition. The opposition camp ought to accept the olive branch extended to them and respond in a positive manner. That way they could contribute to the venture of "One Country, Two Systems" as well as carve out some room for their own development. But it must be pointed out that the separatists are not eligible for the favorable treatment.

The central government has always attached great significance to the opinions of various sectors of society in Hong Kong. In this pluralistic society, the opposition camp does represent quite a number of residents. Beijing, in its hope to contact as wide a political spectrum as possible, would naturally value its communication with the opposition. In fact, Zhang Dejiang met with all the Hong Kong legislators while he was ruling Guangdong. He also met with opposition lawmakers while visiting Hong Kong in May, a move that apparently sat well with the local community. During the meeting, Zhang urged the opposition political groups to contact the relevant central government departments so that a dialogue could be set up. It is foreseeable that communication platforms will be established to make way for further contacts and interactions.

What is also noteworthy is that while the central government retains a tough stance against Hong Kong separatism, it will not tar the whole non-establishment camp with the same brush. It will give the "pan-democrats" and the separatists different treatment, viewing the former as mostly patriotic. As a matter of fact, Beijing has been most inclusive when dealing with issues in Hong Kong. Although the opposition, being more destructive than constructive, tends to disrespect the central government's powers vested by the law and oppose it at every turn, and even blindly supports the separatists, Beijing has treated them with immense patience.

It is understood that the members of the opposition camp whose Home Return Permits have been invalidated fall into three categories. The first type are the opposition lawmakers. The second are members of the opposition political parties who also belong to the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The third are opposition members who have not applied for the permit out of political reasons. The central government authorities will only relax its entry restrictions on some of these people - the separatists who intend to split the country are of course not on the list. That is to say, anybody who does not promote Hong Kong independence could be issued the permit.

It is the general wish of Hong Kong society to see the opposition camp interact positively with Beijing. They should reign in their rebellious tendency and accept the olive branch from Beijing. They should give serious thought on how to act as the opposition but at the same time respect the country's Constitution and bear in mind Hong Kong's overall interests. They ought to act like what is described as the "loyal opposition" in Western society - do something good for "One Country, Two Systems" while seeking more room for their own development.

(HK Edition 12/05/2016 page1)