The Hong Kong government last night called off talks with students at the forefront of pro-democracy protests, accusing their leaders of using the negotiations to incite more people to join the demonstrations. The cancellation is an unfortunate setback following a 10-day stand-off in which there appeared to be almost no common ground between the authorities and the protesters urging a more open electoral system. The number of demonstrators has thinned substantially. But talks remain essential to break a logjam that has plunged the city into some disorder. Both sides must work hard to shift them back on track.
But even if talks resume, what happens then? There are two interlocking issues that will determine Hong Kong’s political future. The first is what happens to CY Leung, the chief executive whose pro-Beijing stance has made him a hate figure among the “Occupy” movement. This week Fairfax Media reported that Mr Leung had received two undisclosed payments totalling £4m from UGL, an engineering company. The chief executive’s office says there was no requirement to disclose the payment, which related to past work and was made in connection with the sale of a company of which Mr Leung had been a director. Still, the lavish reward adds to the impression that Mr Leung is out of touch with Hongkongers, many of whom struggle with stagnant wages and exorbitant housing costs. He needs to consider whether his position is tenable.
Whether he stays or goes, there is a more pressing issue: how to reach a face-saving compromise on electoral reform. Part of Mr Leung’s problem is that he was selected with only 689 votes, a paltry mandate that severely undermines his legitimacy. More democracy would empower the Hong Kong government, not diminish it. Unfortunately, Beijing has given Hong Kong’s authorities very little leeway to negotiate. Under the rules it handed down, a nominating committee, currently of 1,200, would put forward two to three candidates by majority vote. These candidates would then face Hong Kong’s 5m electorate. Opponents have concluded that only pro-Beijing candidates need apply.