It’s the economy, stupid: back to basics for mainland Chinese leaders on Hong Kong policy
There was little mention during the ‘two sessions’ of either the Mong Kok riot or Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s performance, but plenty on the need to focus on the economy
Every March, when Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing heavyweights gather in the capital for the “two sessions” of the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, they feel the political thermometer up north for the latest temperature of the central government’s policies towards the city.
This year, along with many Hongkongers, they are looking for signs on two issues: whether Beijing will turn more hawkish in dealing with Hong Kong after the Mong Kok riot and whether it will drop any hints as to its preference for the city’s next leader.
To the surprise – or relief – of many, there have been no fresh stern messages from top leaders besides the reiteration of Beijing’s strong opposition to any acts advocating Hong Kong independence or semi-independence.
The two leaders who joined the Hong Kong delegations’ discussions came across as very moderate – top legislator Zhang Dejiang urged the city to grasp the opportunities offered by the nation’s 13th five year plan, while CPPCC chairman Yu Zhengsheng stressed the importance of engaging the youth. Neither of them mentioned Mong Kok.
But to be honest, Hong Kong is never the main theme of these two annual meetings. Not to mention that this year the talk of the nation, or even the world, is the tough challenges China is facing in sustaining its economic growth, even though local reporters flocking to Beijing usually take a more Hong Kong-oriented approach in terms of news coverage.
It was under this big picture that Hong Kong was urged to refrain from street politics and focus on economic development. Zhang was direct enough to warn that opportunities for the city “may not come again”.
Understandably, Beijing didn’t see Hong Kong’s fundamentals as having changed significantly overnight because of the Mong Kok mayhem. It apparently believes the majority of Hongkongers, including young people, prefer stability, not violence.
What worries Beijing more is that if the city does not capitalise on its own advantages and the country’s development blueprint, it means Hong Kong will have failed to play its unique role in helping China ’s further opening up, thus losing its competitive edge.
One episode further illustrates Beijing’s latest thinking.
Last week, in quite a rare move, local reporters were reminded by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office that its director, Wang Guangya, would talk to them when attending the day’s meeting in the Great Hall of the People.
Upon arrival, Wang told reporters that the central government was aware of the concerns of some Hongkongers that Beijing would get tougher after “what happened recently”, referring to that violent night in Mong Kok. But quoting President Xi Jinping, Wang gave an assurance that Beijing was determined to uphold “one country, two systems” and would ensure there was no distortion in its implementation. He again stressed that Hong Kong must put its efforts into economic development.
It was at that point Wang was suddenly asked by a reporter about his possible retirement amid recent speculation. Wang’s instant reaction was “why should I go?” but he quickly added that he was already above the official retirement age and prepared to step down “at any time”.
This unexpected answer was surely well worth a story; only that reading too much into it could miss the point as the 66-year-old was merely giving a standard reply, since the retirement age for ministerial-level officials like him is 65.
What matters more is will he go soon? The answer is “unlikely” as two major political battles in Hong Kong are approaching: the September Legislative Council election and the 2017 race for the city’s next leader.
The last thing Beijing wants to see is Hong Kong being further politicised and ignoring economic development because of the two coming elections.
Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that just as no top official has talked about the Mong Kok riot directly so far, none has commented on Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s performance either.
But silence sometimes speaks louder than words. While not mentioning Mong Kok can be translated as Beijing placing the economy above politics, no comment on the chief executive during the two sessions can also be seen as a “not the right time yet for campaigning” signal to whoever intends to run for the top job, Leung included.
So it’s all back to basics – the economy.
