Narrowing Hong Kong's autonomy may backfire

FOR the first time in more than three decades, a senior Chinese official has defined Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy" as joint administration by the central and local governments, with the central government alone dealing with "some major matters".

Li Fei, chairman of the Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, delivered a major address in Hong Kong on Nov 16.

The event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the very venue where the handover ceremony itself took place 20 years ago. To underline the importance of Mr Li's talk, it was carried live and broadcast to assembled students in 50 secondary schools. However, since he spoke in Putonghua rather than Cantonese, it is doubtful that many students could understand his words.