As China makes high-profile efforts to tackle corruption within its body politic, significant events have been taking place in Hong Kong. Part of China under the "One country, two systems" policy, Hong Kong retains a fully fledged market economy, a separate legal system based on common law and a level of freedom of expression much closer to what prevails in the West.
In spite of this, Hong Kong does not have a democratic system of government. Its chief executive officer (replacing the colonial position of governor) is elected not by universal suffrage, but by a largely vocationally determined electoral college. Beijing has ultimate sanction over who is finally elected. And the decision of Anson Chan, a respected and leading figure, not to run for election to this post next year leaves the future of the democratic system in some question. While unlikely to unseat popular incumbent Donald Tsang, the candidacy of Ms Chan would have injected healthy competition into a still undeveloped political arena.
Hong Kong's basic law provides that universal suffrage must come eventually. But a successful democracy will require strong competition between different parties and personalities if it is to survive. At the same time Hong Kong's internationally accepted status as part of China sets limits to the degree of autonomy that any government in Hong Kong can aspire to. The challenge is significant: to complete the transition of its political system from the legacy of colonialism to a level of maturity and freedom that Beijing can live with.
In overcoming this challenge, Hong Kong should also be mindful of its potential destiny within greater China. Through successful collaboration with authorities in the mainland, it is sharing its prosperity with its neighbouring provinces and helping tackle some of the pollution problems arising from the rapid growth there. Slowly but surely it is also having a positive impact on the business culture of mainland China, which is always vulnerable to corruption. And its huge investments there may give it a subtle, but significant, influence over China's broader political direction.
By avoiding setting an immediate deadline for this objective, Hong Kong's current chief executive, Donald Tsang, has invited accusations of being self-serving. Coupled with Ms Chan's decision, it may give the impression that the lights of democracy are going out in Hong Kong. The reality is more hopeful. By avoiding a sudden move that may marginalise Hong Kong within China, Mr Tsang's patience may mean that democracy in Hong Kong will be acceptable, even inspirational, to Beijing.