HK students can go home with their heads held high

IN the 1980s, when China's paramount leader Deng Xiaoping introduced the concept of "one country, two systems", people in many foreign countries were sceptical that it could be done. China proved them wrong. Ironically, now, after 17 years of experience, it seems that the Chinese government is beginning to agree with these foreign sceptics. Instead of emphasising "two systems", Chinese officials are increasingly putting the emphasis on "one country".

Interest in Hong Kong is unusually high these days. Hong Kong was the focus of a joint press conference held last week by US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping. After the American leader first mentioned Hong Kong, Mr Xi was quick to respond that "Hong Kong affairs are exclusively China's internal affairs, and foreign countries should not interfere in those affairs in any form or fashion".

In the past, there was always a feeling in Hong Kong that leaders in Beijing did not take much of an interest in the city's affairs, since they had extremely serious problems on their plates. But now, clearly, Hong Kong is very much on the minds of top Chinese officials.