Hong Kong’s pan-democrats urged to respond with sincerity to state leader’s olive branch
People’s Daily commentary calls for goodwill after historic meeting between Zhang Dejiang and lawmakers
Hong Kong’s pan-democrats should respond to the olive branch extended by state leader Zhang Dejiang in his three-day visit to the city last week with “goodwill and sincerity”, a commentator of the Communist Party’s mouthpiece wrote on Thursday.
In an article in the overseas edition of People’s Daily, Wang Yao also said Zhang had made it clear that it was unlawful to advocate Hong Kong independence. The stance should be seen as “ringing an alarm bell for troublemakers in Hong Kong”, Wang wrote.
Wang was referring to National People’s Congress chairman Zhang’s visit from May 17 to 19, during which he held a groundbreaking meeting with 10 lawmakers, including four from the pan-democratic camp.
“The central government showed its sincerity and goodwill. Now if those in the Hong Kong opposition camp would like to talk to Beijing and reflect their views, they should demonstrate sincerity and goodwill too,” Wang wrote.
“Firstly, they should maintain a calm and rational attitude, be articulate, and not assume that [Beijing officials] are not friendly.”
