Will Beijing resume dialogue with Hong Kong’s opposition camp? Ex-Legco president Jasper Tsang says this will signal success of ‘one country, two systems’
- Pro-establishment heavyweight also suggests central government find ways to achieve ultimate goal of universal suffrage for city
- Tsang is one of the most liberal-minded members of his camp and has tried to bridge rift between pan-democrats and the central government
For pro-establishment heavyweight Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, a key indicator of the success of China’s “one country, two systems” governing policy over Hong Kong hinges on whether Beijing will resume dialogue with the pan-democrats amid a drastically altered political landscape in the city.
Tsang, who was president of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council from 2008 to 2016, also suggested Beijing find ways to achieve the ultimate goal of electing the city’s leader and legislature through universal suffrage.
“It’s undeniable that many pan-democratic politicians still enjoy support from a substantial number of people in Hong Kong,” he said in an interview with the Post in April.
Tsang, one of the most liberal-minded politicians from the pro-establishment camp, has been trying hard to bridge the rift between the opposition and the central government in recent years. During his tenure as Legco president, he suggested the central government arrange for all lawmakers, including pan-democrats, to visit the mainland.
“It’s very simple: many people did not come out to cast ballots because none of the pan-democrats they have been supporting ran,” Tsang said.
