Culture Clash

Zhang says Hong Kong's civil servants must be loyal to Beijing...

The mainlandization of Hong Kong continues with Zhang Dejiang, one of the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee now saying that the city's civil servants must be Chinese loyalists in order to do their jobs.

During a speech at the Great Hall of the People Saturday, Zhang said Beijing would invoke a number of "implicit powers" -- which have so far not been paid close attention to during the first 20 years of the city's handover.

"It should be stressed that [Hong Kong's] governing teams... must be made up of patriots who respect the Chinese people, sincerely support [China's] resumption of sovereignty and pose no threat to [Hong Kong's] prosperity and stability,' he said, referring to late leader Deng Xiaoping.

Hong Kong's values are under threat again by Beijing

"The central government is responsible for supervising whether [Hong Kong's] public officers uphold the Basic Law, and whether they pledge allegiance to the country and [Hong Kong]."

This is a blatant desire to encroach upon the city's values and way of life we hold dearly. Our civil servants may be bureaucratically difficult to deal with, but they have always been politically neutral. But now China plans to ensure Hong Kong is made and run in the same way as every other mainland city -- through political loyalty and guanxi.

Leung Chau-ting, head of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, said he was concerned about Zhang's suggestion that understanding of the Basic Law could carry weight when civil servants' jobs are assessed.

"The focus should always be professionalism and the willingness to serve the public," he said. "It is not our daily work to explain the Basic Law to fellow Hongkongers."

Zhang also called for a closer look at other powers that the central government could use to scrutinize the city's affairs, including that of instructing the chief executive and assessing legislation reported by the Legislative Council.

Does this mean Legco will mean nothing anymore? That lawmakers we elected into the Legislative Council will be moot?

How will this affect Hong Kong's rule of law?

Up until now, the power to assess legislation was considered a ceremonial power, as the National People's Congress has never objected to any reported laws.

Zhang also urged academics to spend more time studying the Basic Law and instill the "correct" national views in Hong Kong teens. Sounds like a veiled demand to institute national education of some sort.

Veteran democrat Martin Lee Chu-ming, who helped draft the Basic Law in the late 1980s, said Zhang's remarks regarding the "supervisory" role over Hong Kong officials, were not in the Basic Law, and they could even deter talent from taking on important roles.

"It's a completely different picture to what was depicted by Deng Xiaoping... also the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law," he said.

"Good lawyers would not dare be judges then... You have to become a puppet [of Beijing] and probably face against the public of Hong Kong," he said.

Is Zhang hinting the days of non-Chinese judges and lawyers are over now? Is this the beginning of the end of rule of law in Hong Kong?

His declarations show impatience on Beijing's part in seeing how reticent Hong Kong is about falling into line with China. It feels that 20 years have passed and attitudes should have changed by now.

But they haven't and now Zhang believes he now needs to crack the whip to make integration even faster.

However most Hong Kong people will not do this without dragging their feet...

Hopefully this will spur more people to come out for the June 4 candlelight vigil and the July 1 march...

Hong Kong in Li Keqiang's Report

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivering his annual work report today

This morning Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered his work report at the annual meeting of the National People's Congress in Beijing.

The 20,000 word report took him about 90 minutes to read out, but journalists who have a hard copy of it can skim through it in minutes.

Towards the end Li talked about Hong Kong, and he continued the familiar refrain of upholding the "one country, two systems" principle, and that it be applied "without being bent or distorted".

What does he mean by that curious clause?

In the past 20 years we've seen an erosion of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, but perhaps Beijing sees it another way.

Li said independence will "lead nowhere" in Hong Kong

Nevertheless, for the first time in his work report, Li spoke about Hong Kong independence, saying the movement would "lead nowhere".

It was perhaps inevitable the Premier would mention this issue, following the swearing in fiasco involving Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching of Youngspiration, who pledged allegiance to a "Hong Kong nation" and called China insulting names the Japanese used during World War II.

That resulted in the National People's Congress Standing Committee to rule that making "insincere" oath-taking punishable by instant disqualification. Leung and Yau were later stripped of their seats in the Legislative Council.

There is a law suit under way to further disqualify four more pan-democrats...

In Li's address he said: "We will continue to implement, both to the letter and in spirit, the principle of one country, two systems, under which Hong Kong people govern Hong Kong."

He also added the Basic Law would be followed in Hong Kong and Macau. "The notion of independence will lead nowhere," he said.

Leung set to be rewarded in stopping independence

And to reward Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying for his efforts in quelling the independence movement, Yu Zhengsheng, the fourth most senior leader in China's Communist Party and chairman of the government's political advisory, said Leung will become a delegate to the advisory body.

In reality the independence movement in Hong Kong is a tiny minority. Did Leung exaggerate how serious this group was in order to be rewarded with such a post? Or is this just another way to give him a bone for not running for Chief Executive again?

Beijing is also mum about its preference of who will become the city's next chief executive. In a meeting with Hong Kong and Macau delegates, Zhang Dejiang, the National People's Congress chairman reiterated Beijing's four criteria for Hong Kong's next leader: he or she must "love the country and love Hong Kong", be trusted by Beijing, be capable of governing, and be supported by the Hong Kong people.

Oh and by the way, Zhang added, Beijing has "substantive and constitutional power" to appoint the next leader.

Does this mean John Tsang Chun-wah and Woo Kwok-hing still have a decent chance?

We'll find out March 26...

Party Preferences

Speculation turns confirmation as Carrie Lam is backed by Beijing

There are now reports that National People's Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang was in Shenzhen a few days ago to inform Hong Kong's pro-Beijing camp that the Communist Party was backing Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor as the next chief executive of Hong Kong.

And the decision was made on December 25.

Zhang Dejiang made the announcement in Shenzhen

Was she also informed that day, as a Christmas present? And how come their decision was only revealed now?

A source also revealed tycoon Li Ka-shing was present at this meeting, though he and his company representatives did not attend her rally last week. Nevertheless, Li and his two sons, Victor Li Tzar-kuoi and Richard Li Tzar-kai were seen going to the Beijing liaison office in Western on Wednesday.

Interestingly it was stressed the decision to back Lam was a collective one, not one particular official or group of officials.

Also worth noting is that the meeting was not covered in Chinese state media, and one source to a Hong Kong newspaper explained this was so that it would give the party room to manoeuvre in case anything unexpected cropped up.

One of the attendees in Shenzhen was tycoon Li Ka-shing

The unwillingness to let this be a completely fair race (aside from allowing over 3 million people in Hong Kong to vote), shows Beijing still doesn't completely trust 1,194 people in the Election Committee and wants a clear winner in March.

If Beijing can't even trust its most loyal supporters to do the right thing, how is the relationship between Hong Kong and the motherland ever going to mature?

Mr Pringles' Platform and Zhang Dejiang's Meetings

John Tsang officially announced his platform today

Everyone's eagerly talking about the race for the next chief executive of Hong Kong. While many believe it will be Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor who has the upper hand, they have a preference for former Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah.

They call him "potato chips" because he looks like the logo of Pringles chips, a man with a moustache known as "Julius Pringles". Many feel he is more down to earth than Lam, who revealed how out of touch she was when she took a taxi in the middle of the night from her Convention Centre serviced apartment back to her old digs on The Peak to get toilet paper.

Tsang revealed his platform today, promising electoral reform, but also he would enact Article 23, the contentious law on national security that was shelved in 2003. He would give tax breaks to SMEs and allowances for low-income families.

Some believe that he is still favoured by Beijing, otherwise why was he kept on as financial secretary when Leung Chun-ying became Chief Executive? They think that Beijing had a hand in having Tsang stay on...

Zhang Dejiang had meetings with Hong Kong heavyweights

A friend said she liked Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and we asked her why. She said she's a hard worker, and she has had a tough life -- her husband died young so she was a single parent raising her daughter. As for trying to implement Article 23, she was only doing what she was told to do.

Others like former judge Woo Kwok-hing's personality, but feel he might be "too delicate" to do the job of chief executive in terms of health. They fear another Tung Chee-hwa situation would happen. But he definitely has better Chinese calligraphy skills than the other three candidates.

Adding to the mix is the National People's Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang, who is also the state leader overseeing Hong Kong affairs, go to Shenzhen to meet with influential Hong Kong businessmen and pro-Beijing political parties.

His visit comes a week before the nomination period for the next chief executive begins next Tuesday.

While people who attended the meetings refused to divulge what was said, they would only say it was normal for Beijing to want to know people's opinions on things.

Uh huh.

John Tsang biting into his pineapple bun in Tsim Sha Tsui

The fact the visit was announced after the fact is also curious, but we will leave it at that.

In any event, the other day Tsang visited one of the first three food trucks that have opened for business in Tsim Sha Tsui and got a pineapple bun for HK$20. While he said it tasted good, it was expensive for HK$20.

Excuse me? Isn't he the one who wanted to bring food trucks to Hong Kong? It ain't cheap to set it up, at a minimum of HK$600,000 in start-up costs alone.

Maybe his platform should include measures to prevent landlords from jacking up rents so that small local eateries won't go out of business!

Beijing Dangles an Olive Branch

How did Robert Chow score meetings with officials like Wang Guangya?

It's all relative isn't it.

Now that the Hong Kong pan-democrats seem completely tame next to the localists, the Chinese government has decided to grant the pan-dems mainland travel documents from now on.

But the pan-democrats aren't buying it. Leung Yiu-chung of the Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre says it is a two-pronged strategy by Beijing to break the ice with opposition lawmakers, while cracking down hard on independence advocacy.

Leung Yiu-chung isn't convinced by Beijing's olive branch

"If officials would like to talk about relaunching the city's political reform process, I would go anytime, even this afternoon, but there is no need for another sightseeing trip," To said.

What was also bizarre about the announcement was that it came not from Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, but from the pan-democrats' fiercest critic, Robert Chow Yung, who runs the pro-establishment group Silent Majority for Hong Kong.

He has managed to score meetings with Wang Guangya, director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress, and Chen Zuoer, chairman of the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies.

The fact that Chow got these meetings -- one purportedly lasting as long as two hours -- shows that even Leung Chun-ying doesn't quite have the guanxi touch anymore.

Nevertheless, at least three pan-democrats who have been unable to renew their mainland travel documents for more than a decade -- Democrat James To Kun-sun, "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung from the League of Social Democrats, and Leung Yiu-chung -- have said they will not apply for permits.

Leung Kwok-hung isn't applying for a permit anytime soon

"I also found it very strange that Chow was informed before the local government. It seems Beijing has downgraded the local government," Leung Yiu-chung said.

When asked if he knew about the announcement from Beijing, Leung Chun-ying declined to confirm, only saying he had been "working hard to advocate that the central government promptly allow our pan-democrat friends [to visit the mainland]".

Hmmm... since when were the pan-democrats his "friends"?

Even Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, Hong Kong's sole representative on the National People's Congress Standing Committee didn't know about the latest development. She saw it as a gesture to the pan-democrats that "if you are not [advocating independence] there is no reason why there should be no communication [between us]".

Very interesting development, but also good on the pan-democrats for sticking to their guns. Democracy is worth much more than a travel permit to the mainland...

Beijing's Attempt to Control Two Elections

An editorial cartoon about electoral fraud in Liaoning's NPC

An interesting story from China is the 45 Liaoning deputies from the National People's Congress sacked last month -- and now it's been revealed it's because the provincial legislature rejected Beijing-backed candidates in an election three years ago.

Sources say top Communist Party leaders were enraged when unprecedented, widespread vote rigging in the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress in 2013 saw candidates favoured by the Party leadership failed to win the election.

The NPC Standing Committee infuriated by Liaoning results

The scale of the scandal alarmed Beijing -- where the Party's preferred candidates lost out to ones backed by bribe-paying business chiefs. If it was not dealt with, the leadership says, then it would have threatened to undermine President Xi Jinping's plan for the Party's national congress next year, where a major reshuffle of senior positions is expected.

"A few candidates designated by the central authorities as deputies to the National People's Congress failed to get enough votes from Liaoning provincial legislators in early 2013," says a former Liaoning congress deputy.

The incident has infuriated top Party officials and resulted in an investigation into electoral fraud in the northeastern province.

Zhang says election fraud challenged China's political system

NPC chairman Zhang Dejiang, who is also a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, told a special meeting of the NPC Standing Committee last month the election fraud had "challenged China's socialist democratic politics" and touched the "bottom line" of the country's political system.

This scandal is not the first of its kind, though the first time since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 that dozens of NPC deputies have been sacked for election irregularities.

A mid-ranking official in the provincial capital of Shenyang said billionaires in Liaoning had been more than willing to spend big to secure NPC positions, which would then make it more difficult to launch investigations into their affairs and would gain them direct access to officials who could further their business interests.

Looks like it's game over for these billionaires...

It isn't clear how many candidates contested the 2013 NPC election or how many failed to win election, but apparently 3,000 deputies in the NPC were elected either by provincial-level people's congresses, or the People's Liberation Army, rather than by central authorities.

So think about it -- the province is corrupt with billionaires buying seats in the NPC, and even Beijing's efforts to control it by trying to elect its own endorsed people in is thwarted big time.

The solution? Beijing declares electoral fraud, when the Party itself is trying to have its own people voted in by its "socialist democracy".

It's very similar to Hong Kong's recent Legislative Council elections, but in this case, there was no electoral fraud, and while the pro-Beijing camp still has the majority in Legco, it lost three seats to localists, some of whom are advocating self-determination.

While it won't be hard for Beijing to rectify the problem in Liaoning by basically sacking everyone and starting over (by putting its own people in), Hong Kong is an entirely different kettle of fish.

Beijing must be racking its brains on how it can further exert its influence in the city. Stay tuned.

Lights Out for Multilayered Art Installation

The large number on ICC counts down the seconds to July 1, 2047

I saw it last week, albeit briefly, and was hoping to see it again.

But alas, it's gone for good.

I'm talking about a curious light installation on the ICC or International Commerce Centre at Kowloon station.

For a few days it had a countdown clock, not like the one Japanese artist Tatsuo Miyajima did.

Two Hong Kong artists, Sampson Wong Yu-hin and Jason Lam Chi-fai created a work originally called Our 60-Second Friendship Begins Now, where, following a series of messages, like "I will remember this minute", and "You can't change this fact", and a bunch of graphics, it finally shows a large number counting down.

The installation was launched on May 17, the start of Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress' visit to the city. Did he see those messages from his presidential suite?

It turns out, explain Wong and Lam, that the big number is the number of seconds to July 1, 2047, when "one country, two systems", or 50 years of supposedly no change ends and Hong Kong becomes... what? Another Chinese city? In no-man's land?

What was amazing was that Lam and Wong were able to pull this off, if only for a few days.

But now it's been revealed that the pair made the installation, that was supposed to run until June 22, thanks to a commission by the Hong Kong Development Council. But the government-run arts body is very angry about the true meaning behind the work, claiming it was duped into thinking the light show was politically correct.

In a statement, Ellen Pau of the HKADC and Caroline Ha Thuc, curator of the "Fifth Large-Scale Public Media Art Exhibition: Human Vibrations", said:

"The disrespect demonstrated by Mr. Sampson Wong and Mr. Jason Lam against the original agreement and understanding made with the curator and HKADC is jeopardizing our profession and put at risk any future possibility to work further in the public space."

The statement said the artists had made changes to the work and had publicized these "without consulting the curator nor HKADC." On May 18 after after the exhibition's opening ceremony, the pair changed the name to Countdown Machine.

It also added, "We do believe in the freedom of artistic expression and do support our artists."

Err, those last two statements contradict each other. If you support artists and their right to artistic expression, then what is wrong with their installation?

The HKADC isn't without controversy -- local artists have told me that it picks and chooses artists it likes -- in other words, those it deems to be politically correct. This body has the power to promote artists to a global audience, and so some artists make compromises for the chance at recognition.

Others decide to just go their own way, but most of the time end up struggling.

Wong alluded to this in his Facebook page in response to his light installation being taken down.

"The public knows clearly who is jeopardizing the [arts] sector and the profession," he said, referring to a line in the HKADC's statement that it said he and Lam were "jeopardizing our profession".

He added that Hong Kong had not yet accepted the behaviour of "calling a deer a horse" -- referring to the distortion of facts.

Lam and Wong know they have probably ruined their chances of a fruitful artistic career in Hong Kong. They've probably been labelled "subversive" and blacklisted in the mainstream art world and are probably lumped into the same category as Joshua Wong Chi-fung, who can't even open a bank account these days.

However we salute these two for not only bringing the attention of Hong Kong's relationship with the mainland, possibly getting high visibility from a senior Chinese leader, and highlighting issues with the HKADC in one piece of art.

Multilayered meanings. Isn't that what art is about?

Hong Kong Still Isn't Buying It

Zhang encourages Hong Kong to take an active role in One Belt, One Road

Senior Chinese official Zhang Dejiang's visit to Hong Kong was his attempt to soothe anger and frustration at Beijing and the Leung Chun-ying administration.

While he probably bent over backwards more than other Chinese officials would have, for Hong Kong people it wasn't enough.

He was keen to demonstrate to the city -- and Taiwan -- that Beijing supposedly accepts the plurality of opinions in Hong Kong, and that while there are calls for independence, they are only a small -- make that very small -- group.

Opposition to Communist rule still simmers in Hong Kong

With that, and meeting with four pan-democrats, Zhang was hoping turn the tide of opinion to his side, but did he manage to do it?

Opinions are still entrenched depending on which side you're on; there is no middle ground.

This past Monday was the 50th anniversary of the start of the Cultural Revolution. For those who were alive at the time, those memories are still vivid, particularly those whose families were persecuted, physically attacked or worse killed.

Those who managed to escape the madness went to Hong Kong to rebuild their lives. But it wasn't only then -- they did it during the Great Leap Forward and before that when the Communists came to power.

They have told their haunting stories to their children and grandchildren so that no one will forget what Mao and the Party did to them.

And then 1997 happened, with Hong Kong people thrilled to see the backs of the British, but really it was just trading one master for another without any proper resolution.

Memories of the Cultural Revolution are still fresh

And it's even harder to accept our new master, who hasn't really had a good track record when it comes to looking after its people and its hypocritical political ideology.

Come July 1 it will be 19 years since the mainland reclaimed Hong Kong and Beijing still doesn't understand many Hong Kong people's skepticism.

Then there's the One Belt, One Road strategy.

China is keen for Hong Kong to take part, and Leung has been touting it constantly as something the city should be rallying behind.

Hong Kong has no experience in eastern Europe and western China, and if some entrepreneurs have tried to set up businesses they were dismal failures because they were not familiar with business practices there.

But with Zhang bringing up the topic again in a summit here, the media noted tycoons and bureaucrats looked glum. They probably knew that Beijing was expecting Hong Kong to pitch in with money. Lots of it.

One business columnist summed it up succinctly:

Because it's all about the money. Hong Kong's paramount value to Beijing is to act as a world-class financier to fund China's ambitions. Anything else that citizens consider essential for social stability -- democracy, self-determination, independence, a high degree of autonomy, property prices -- are trivial banquet conversation.

Then he ominously ends by saying, "Hong Kong, this is your life. Welcome to it."

Not exactly optimistic...

Post-Mortem on Zhang Visit

Zhang Dejiang (left) gave a conciliatory stance  -- or was it an act?

For once, a student activist and a pro-Beijing veteran agreed on something -- that the four pan-democratic lawmakers who met with Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang on Wednesday evening before a banquet -- should not have asked for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to be removed from office.

Joshua Wong Chi-fung, secretary general of Demosisto, said he felt uncomfortable about asking for Leung to be removed.

Four pan-democratic lawmakers saw Zhang on Wednesday

"It seems they ignored the electoral system in Hong Kong," he said on RTHK this morning. "I think pan-democrats should have focused on Hong Kong people's demand for universal suffrage and self-determination... because it's the political system's fault, not just a person's."

Meanwhile, Cheng Yiu-tong said on TVB that he heard the pan-democrats "telling Zhang to stop Leung from seeking re-election" next March.

"They should not say that because they are popularly elected lawmakers... Re-election is also Leung's personal choice," said the local deputy to the NPC.

They both have a point.

 Wong says the four shoul have pushed for universal suffrage

However, Labour Party lawmaker Cyd Ho Sau-lan clarified on Commercial Radio what they talked about with Zhang.

"What we said was that Leung caused social divisions and it would be inappropriate for him to seek another term," she said. "We also mentioned that the problematic electoral system should be reformed."

Democratic Party's Emily Lau Wai-hing said she told Zhang it was inappropriate for Leung to govern Hong Kong.

Was this a constructive conversation? Or was Zhang just paying lip service to these lawmakers?

Knowing Zhang and how he handled the 2003 SARS crisis and had the gall to suggest that Guangdong (when he was governor) and Hong Kong cooperated closely on dealing with the outbreak.

Cheng says the four shouldn't have said Leung should go

That was hardly true, with China not even acknowledging at first there was a problem, resulting in 1,755 people infected, and 299 who died.

So do you trust Zhang with sincerely listening to people and willing to take action in the best interests of Hong Kong than the Party?

Waiting for One Man

Zhang Dejiang (top right) waves goodbye before embarking the plane

I'm so glad Zhang Dejiang has left Hong Kong.

Let me tell you my commute to work today.

My company shuttle has to make several stops on Hong Kong Island before going to the New Territories, and this includes Sheung Wan, Central and Wan Chai.

Everything was fine in Sheung Wan, but when we got to the start of the ferry pier where the ferries go to the outlying islands, the one road was a parking lot.

The Central ferry pier was a parking lot for over an hour

We were at a complete standstill, or inched along. We were stuck on this short stretch of road, a few hundred metres -- for over an hour.

Why?

Because Zhang, the third-highest ranking official in China, chairman of the National People's Congress, was on his way from his hotel, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong to Tseung Kwan O, and so Connaught Road Central, Gloucester Road and Kwung Tong bypass were closed.

And he had a motorcade 45 vehicles long. And detailed security who even carried stun grenades, smoke grenades, firearms and even briefcases with machine guns in them.

All for one man.

We first hit the jam at 9.17am and didn't leave the Star Ferry pier area until 10.30am. Needless to say we were super late for work and fuming.

Traffic was jammed in Wan Chai where Zhang was staying

In China, this is normal -- blocking traffic for officials, closing airspace for them to fly.

But for Hong Kong, this was too much.

While Zhang claims there is no campaign to mainlandize Hong Kong, what he did during this trip certainly was proof that actions speak louder than words.

Colourful Start to Zhang's Visit

Zhang Dejiang all smiles as well as Leung Chun-ying at the airport

The big moment came just before noon today -- the highly-anticipated arrival of Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress and head of the party's leading group on Hong Kong and Macau affairs.

Police have been on high alert for anything suspicious, and even camped out on top of Lion Rock to prevent protesters from displaying banners from there.

Yellow banner on Beacon Hill demanding universal suffrage

However, the authorities were unable to stop those from the League of Social Democrats from unfurling a large yellow banner on Beacon Hill, in Lion Rock Country Park that read, "I want genuine universal suffrage", echoing the Umbrella Movement of 2014.

The police were ordered to take down the banner as soon as possible.

This shows the authorities don't have enough intelligence on activists who are planning these attention-getting incidents. How difficult can it be? They are not spies...

The LSD also hung another banner on a highway overpass along North Lantau Highway near the airport that read: "End Chinese Communist Party dictatorship".

Another calls for the end of the Communist Party dictatorship

Wonder if Zhang got to see that on his way into town...

Security is so tight around Wan Chai that it's best to avoid that area in the next few days -- ie take the MTR to bypass it.

Protests are going to be very passionate because Zhang was the top legislator in charge of the NPC's decision on Hong Kong's political reform two years ago. That was when it was decided Hong Kong voters could only choose between two to three candidates running for chief executive who had been vetted by a 1,200-strong Beijing loyalist committee.

And we all know that led to the 79-day Umbrella protests around Hong Kong...

Around 6pm this evening on Garden Road, several people holding yellow umbrellas were escorted by police. They had walked up from the HSBC headquarters to get to the former Central Government Offices. Some minor scuffles broke out, but in general the protest was peaceful.

Barriers make it near impossible to try to get near Zhang

A more sombre protest was held at Tamar, joined by half a dozen Neo Democrats, lawmaker Gary Fan Kwok-wai placed 100 paper graves in Tamar Park to remember those who died from SARS in 2003.

The group accuses Zhang, who was governor of Guangdong at the time, of deliberately withholding information about the SARS outbreak, thus not giving Hong Kong enough time to prepare and prevent the severe acute respiratory syndrome from spreading; 299 lives were lost.

We don't know if Zhang managed to see all these protests, as he claims his visit here is to "see, listen, speak". He will probably be doing a lot of the last one, and not many of the first two...

In the meantime, we look forward to seeing the cat-and-mouse game between the police and protesters continue...

Zhang Dejiang to Try to Diffuse Tensions

Zhang Dejiang will be coming to Hong Kong this week

Hong Kong is getting ready for senior Chinese official Zhang Dejiang's three-day visit to the city starting on Tuesday.

First off -- there's going to be tons of security especially around the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong where he is staying -- some three times the number of police deployed for previous sitting premiers and presidents.

And then by the Legislative Council building, where workers have even glued down the bricks on the sidewalk to prevent anyone from trying to recreate the Mongkok riots that happened on Chinese New Year day.

Tight security will be in and around the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

There was also the awkward invitation of the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to meet with pan-democrats -- but only four of them, and only at a pre-banquet cocktail. Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing, Civic Party leader Alan Leong Wah-kit, Labour Party's Cyd Ho Sau-lan and health services lawmaker Joseph Lee Kok-long were the ones selected.

At first Ho refused to attend because she apparently felt a cocktail party was not the right venue to meet, and it seemed like the meeting was an afterthought.

However she has since changed her mind, because while it's not the best situation to meet Zhang, it's one of the few chances to actually speak to him directly.

And now we are hearing Beijing is trying to hire a global public relations firm to help give Zhang an image makeover to give the impression his visit isn't a kowtowing exercise.

The companies apparently in the running are Hill & Knowlton (who consulted Beijing with the 2008 Summer Olympics), Ketchum, Ogilvy Public Relations, FleishmanHillard and Edelman.

Pan-democrat Cyd Ho will meet with Zhang... briefly

A representative from FleishmanHillard suggested Zhang should be more open and explain how the "One Belt, One Road" initiative will benefit Hong Kong economically, and stress how China is committed to Hong Kong's Basic Law.

Nevertheless, some political PR consultants here think Zhang's visit is "almost mission impossible", to use PR stunts to make Zhang look more acceptable to Hong Kong people.

The former spin doctor for former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Andy Ho On-tat, says: "The tense relation between Hong Kong and Beijing has its roots in Beijing's decision [in 2014] to impose a restrictive framework for Hong Kong's political development.

"Unless Mr Zhang has something like the decision delivered on August 31 [2014] will be reversed, any public relations stunts, be it a walkabout in town, shaking hands with people, or hugging babies, are doomed to be useless."

Ouch. But true.

Peter Lam Yuk-wah, another political consultant was similarly pessimistic. "With the heavy deployment of police, it would defeat any attempt to soften Mr Zhang's image, or use crowds to show he is popular."

He has a point there, but seems like the Hong Kong government and police don't want to take any chances when it comes to Zhang's safety.

We wonder what the localists have planned for Zhang's visit, or do they even care to voice their displeasure? Tight security does not give the impression he is accessible, or even friendly.

If his keynote speech at the Belt and Road Summit is full of the usual phrases, it will only demonstrate his lack of understanding of Hong Kong and prove the State Council is clueless when it comes to dealing with the city and its frustrations, social, political and economic.

It's not easy when the emperor is far away...

A Beijing Official who Somewhat Understands HK

Feng Wei takes a pragmatic approach to Hong Kong and its challenges

It's interesting to find the deputy director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing has a more nuanced approach to Hong Kong.

Feng Wei seems to have an acute understanding of what's going on in the city and says the central government will work harder when communicating with Hong Kong's residents, and be patient.

For example, in the upcoming Legislative Council elections in September, Feng says he expects some young radical politicians will win seats, though he expects they will mature politically.

The central government is studying the rise of localism

"We will spot many new faces on TV screens. It will be normal that several radical young people will be returned as lawmakers [in September]," he said. "Politics is the process of putting theories into practice. Young people participating in politics, including radicals, will gradually mature."

He added the central government was "very concerned" about the rise of radicalism and was analyzing the reasons behind the phenomenon.

Hmmmm interesting. Surely that shouldn't be too difficult to figure out?

Perhaps it may have something to do with the white paper issued in June 2014 that said the central government had "comprehensive jurisdiction" over Hong Kong with regards to electoral reform.

Interestingly Feng seems to believe -- or wants people to believe -- that there are only a very small number of radicals who are calling for separatism. He acknowledged that Hong Kong's economy had sluggish growth, noting that people's median income had barely increased in the past two decades, while property prices had surged.

Zhang Dejiang says "one country, two systems" unchanged

"Problems with the economy certainly affect people's livelihood and give rise to social conflicts," he said.

And during the "two sessions" -- the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference -- Beijing chose to focus on other aspects of Hong Kong's governance than the violent incidents.

Zhang Dejiang, the National People's Congress chairman who overseas Hong Kong affairs, told the city's deputies two weeks ago that the "one country, two systems" principle would remain unchanged, though he urged the city to safeguard the rule of law.

While it's good for Zhang to reiterate this, how about China safeguarding the rule of law in China and telling us why five booksellers were mysteriously disappeared to the mainland from October until now? Surely we should be entitled to some answers to give us some kind of reassurances?

DAB Desperate for Praise

DAB's Starry Lee Wai-king greets NPC chairman Zhang Dejiang in Beijing

Earlier this week members of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) paid a visit to the Chinese capital, in the Great Hall of the People to meet with senior Chinese officials.

The delegation, led by Starry Lee Wai-king, told Chinese officials that the DAB needed more encouragement and recognition for its "hard work", as Beijing urged the group to take a "leading role" in uniting fellow loyalists after the failed political reform package last month.

"Many patriots have been making lots of contributions to the city, but it seems they are not given enough recognition," a DAB source said. "Not many people [from the DAB] are appointed to the National People's Congress or the Chinese People's Consultative Conference as the seats are limited, but it would be great if some 'honorary recognition' could be given."

It's amusing for the DAB for ask for this in its pilgrimage to Beijing (its first since 2006) when members of the group botched voting on the political reform package when a number of them walked out of the Legislative Council chamber last month.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying may seek a second term

They were waiting for Heung Yee Kuk former chairman Lau Wong-fat to show up, but he was stuck in traffic. And even though many legislative councillors walked out, there were still enough inside the chamber to vote and so they did, resulting in a 28-8 against the package.

It is akin to a student asking a teacher for gold stars when the pupil's academic performance is barely a pass, despite his or her seemingly "hard work".

Nevertheless, it seems that Beijing has been outwardly stoic about the political reform package failing to pass, and instead is already focused on the future.

Zhang Dejiang, National People's Congress chairman and the state leader in charge of Hong Kong's affairs, says the DAB must now work with its allies to win a two-thirds majority in Legco in next year's election.

"I hope the DAB find out what is good and hold fast to it and make a difference," he said. "It should have a clear-cut stand on loving the country and Hong Kong... and be willing to take on heavy responsibilities."

It is also believed Zhang urged the DAB to support Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, and if they win a two-thirds majority in Legco, then they will be able to pass the political reform package.

So it seems Beijing is still keen on passing the package as is, and that the Hong Kong government never bothered to listen to its citizens on how they want to vote for their next chief executive in 2017.

The current proposal has two to three candidates vetted by a 1,200 nomination committee with its members appointed by Beijing. Then some 5 million eligible voters in Hong Kong would be able to vote on these pre-approved candidates.

However, this was not what a number of local residents wanted, which later spurred the 79-day Occupy protests in the city last fall.

This just demonstrates how Beijing is determined to have things its way, because, as we've said before, it has no understanding or appreciation of how democracy works, and it wants to make sure the results are a foregone conclusion.

Which is why Hong Kong has had three chief executives so far who have apparently obediently followed Beijing's directives that have resulted in the city's performance declining in all aspects -- these last few weeks it's been traces of lead in public housing water pipes -- thus further evidence of complacency and no interest in having Hong Kong ruled by Hong Kong.

Beijing is currently shoring up support for Leung -- despite his incompetency and lack of popularity -- and is urging the DAB to be behind him all the way, should he seek a second term.

It's a tough pill to swallow, but knowing the DAB, they will be obedient because they really want those gold stars...

Doing a "Good" Job

Apparently CY Leung is doing a good job, according to Beijing...

Should we be surprised?

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying came back from two days of reporting his work progress to Beijing, and was told the central government was "very satisfied" with his performance.

He met with National People's Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang, and Leung said, "[Zhang] was 'highly affirmed and is very satisfied' with my performance -- and the SAR government -- over the past 20 months on political reform."

Leung added, "[Zhang] said he would firmly support me and the administration to rule [the city] in accordance with law."

This is highly amusing considering the pro-Beijing lawmakers flubbed so badly on the vote last month, and lots of people came out to protest against Leung, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung when they were campaigning around the city for the public to accept the political reform proposal.

And the fact that Beijing would support Leung if he ran for another term proves how tight he is with the Xi administration, where loyalty equals competence..

Nevertheless, Leung was diplomatic about possibly running for a second term, saying, "If there is room and opportunity, I will make the greatest efforts to serve Hong Kong."

Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said Zhang may have just encouraged Leung as a formality, and that it would not necessarily mean he had won the central government's blessing.

The thought of Leung staying on for another term was a bad sign for Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit. "It would be a catastrophe for Hong Kong if he serves for another five years."

Clarification Please

Zhang Dejiang's statements on Hong Kong's future is subject to interpretation

Ah the Chinese language can be so.... vague.

It's open to so many different interpretations which is why Chinese officials love it. They can make these pronouncements that are difficult to translate because other languages, such as English can be very precise.

The latest is the top official in charge of Hong Kong and Macau affairs, Zhang Dejiang, who spoke at the National People's Congress, saying achieving universal suffrage in 2017 is "an historic opportunity not to be missed".

However, he also warned that "a missed opportunity would not come again", creating a sense of panic that if pan-democrats veto the upcoming political reform package, then Hong Kong people would have lost their only chance at "one man, one vote".

Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, interpreted Zhang's words this way:

"He said some forces have publicly vowed to vote down the package to elect the chief executive by universal suffrage in 2017... he said they are exhausting all means to obstruct Hong Kong's path to democracy," Fan said.

In meetings with local deputies yesterday, Zhang reiterated universal suffrage in 2017 must be based on the framework which was set down by the NPC Standing Committe in August.

This means two to three candidates running for chief executive, must be first approved by Beijing before being put on the ballot that every one would be able to vote for. And this is exactly why tens of thousands occupied the streets in Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Mongkok for 79 days.

Fan added Zhang also told local deputies that "it is difficult to eliminate the negative effects of Occupy Central... which reflected that the young people lack understanding about the Basic Law and the country".

Or is this Fan's way of explaining to Zhang that young people in Hong Kong still don't understand that they are Chinese?

Another Hong Kong delegate, Brave Chan Yung, also expressed fears that the city was missing its only opportunity for universal suffrage, and that if it was voted down this time, another chance would not come again.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Zhang's words should be interpreted as "a warning".

However, Elsie Leung Oi-sie, deputy director of the Basic Law Committee, believed Zhang was not saying that Hong Kong's political system could not be changed after 2017.

So what did Zhang really mean?

Chinese officials can say whatever they want and then backtrack later because what they said originally was so vague that it could have been interpreted a number of ways.

And that's what we're seeing here, which is much like a dog chasing its tail -- going around in circles.

Can we get a clarification once and for all? Or perhaps Zhang is couching his words to suit possible circumstances for later?