The Hong Kong bungle

Hong Kong has in recent years been run by an alliance of local communists and local big business, with mainland officials and intelligence people keeping a careful eye on both. They have their differences, but come together to sustain the pro-Beijing regime. They have been able to contain the third force, the opposition pan-democrats who would be able in any fair vote to outnumber them, although not necessarily by much.

The democratic forces are not, however, anti-Beijing. They want democracy because they believe in it as a principle. But they are led by realists who see themselves as in favour of judicious accommodation with Beijing and of a modest, unprovocative pursuit of Hong Kong’s interests and defence of its special status.

From a leader in ‘The Guardian’, London