A peaceful winding-down of this conflict will require sincere efforts to reduce suspicion on both sides. While one side worries about threats to national security in the form of potential foreign meddling, the other fears the weakening of Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy." I believe that both suspicions are exaggerated and could be alleviated by continuing dialogue. It is a matter of responsibility: If the (mainly very young) demonstrators in Hong Kong are not capable of assuming that responsibility, then it will fall to the authorities in both Hong Kong and Beijing.

Fortunately, the authorities have shown the best intentions in assuming the necessary degree of responsibility. I believe the Chinese government has shown a good tactical sense in the timing of its actions this year. It made sense to announce its intentions well in advance, in the form of the white paper issued by the government in June. It was probably inevitable that there would be initial strong reactions from within Hong Kong. These have now emerged, but there are still well over two years to go until the election. This should provide plenty of time for more turbulent spirits to cool down and for a real dialogue to be established.

This will enable the central government to lower the temperature through a campaign of persuasion to convince Hong Kong residents that its intentions are positive and aimed at making the promised progress on electoral reform while maintaining stability. The basic structure has been clearly laid out in the report of the NPC Standing Committee, and there is nothing in it which contravenes the spirit of "one country, two systems." But suspicions still exist as to what the new structure might mean in practice. These suspicions are, I believe, exaggerated, but it is unproductive to simply say so. China will need to use a new kind of public information program in Hong Kong, one that is different from the method traditionally used on the mainland. That will be a challenge, but it is an integral part of what "one country, two systems" means.

Above all, it is essential to avoid premature escalation on Hong Kong's streets. Time is on Hong Kong's side here. If everyone can refrain from ramping up the rhetoric and taking ill-advised action, things will inevitably calm down. Once the basic framework is accepted, small details can be resolved through patient dialogue, and the result will be a successful introduction of universal suffrage - for the first time in Hong Kong's history - for the election of a new Chief Executive in 2017. In this way, the steps towards a stable future for Hong Kong laid out in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law will be successfully completed, and Deng Xiaoping's vision will become a reality.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.jhzsvip.com/opinion/timcollard.htm

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