Seven out of ten of Hong Kong people believe that a camp of politically moderate figures is needed in Hong Kong, according to a survey by Path of Democracy – a think tank headed by former lawmaker Ronny Tong.
The group commissioned the Public Opinion Programme at the University of Hong Kong to interview 1,000 Hong Kong people about their political stance by phone. Around 40 percent of those surveyed said that they lean towards to the middle ground in politics, 28 percent said they prefer the pro-democracy camp whilst 11 percent said they said prefer the pro-Beijing camp.
The survey found that 75 percent of those who prefered the pro-Beijing camp and 64 percent of those who prefered the pro-democracy camp felt that a camp of political moderate figures, who can serve as a middle ground, was needed in Hong Kong.
Path of Democracy said at a press conference that more than half of those surveyed believed a camp of moderates could promote a political culture of mutual respect and help avoid a split in society. Those surveys suggested that the camp would communicate with the Central Government in Beijing in order to reflect Hong Kong people’s wish to solve problems and bridge the traditional pan-democrats vs. pro-Beijing debate. The camp would also help implement the principle of “one country, two systems”.
Path of Democracy was co-founded in June by former Civic Party lawmaker Ronny Tong. It aims to serve as a political middle ground, to promote a moderate political approach in a proactive manner.
Other notable directors are former top government official Joseph Wong Wing-ping, property and media tycoon Shih Wing-ching, businessman Allan Zeman, district councillor Paul Zimmerman and professor Richard Wong Yue-chim.
Tong left Civic Party and resigned from Legislative Council after founding the think tank.
