The time has come to call a spade a spade. In this period of heightening polarisation over issues like constitutional reform and the election of the next chief executive, it is imperative that Hong Kong as a whole should get its act together and work towards the twin objectives so desired by all. These are a stable society offering equal opportunities and a harmonious atmosphere affording room and scope to develop latent potential.
The government is doing its best, particularly in the area of political and economic reforms. On constitutional changes and the election of the next chief executive it is shaping ideas and proposals into a working consensus.
But whatever proposals it puts forward, they will come under fire from one sector or another; people are stressed and fired up, particularly those among the so-called post- 1980s generation.
Admittedly, as a special administrative region, the government can only do so much. It has to abide by the 'one country, two systems' philosophy and the Basic Law.
These two tenets have enabled Hong Kong to weather a number of crises but, to borrow a phrase, the natives are becoming restless. Hong Kong may run its own affairs (except for foreign relations and defence), but it is no secret that officials here have to heed advice and suggestions from the leaders in Beijing.
The system works but it leaves little to the imagination; the local government is on strings. The chief executive has to report to Beijing and the outcome of his duty visits - to brief Beijing or be briefed, and sometimes admonished - are no secret. Indeed, they are actually highly visible and public affairs.
If the public's general perception of the local government is that it is led by Beijing - as it should be, because Hong Kong is part of China - then there is merit in the argument that the central government should perhaps send a high-level official to oversee affairs here.
