Opinion | As Hong Kong becomes increasingly polarised, we need policies that connect with the people

Of the recent spate of consultation papers published by the government, I think “Consultation on 2016-17 Budget” is the best.

Written in plain language, supported by graphs and economic indicators, the paper doesn’t carry preconceived ideas or treat people, being consulted, like laboratory mice.

Still, fiscal cracks of sluggish exports, market gyrations and other challenges lie ahead.

Elsewhere, too, cracks and sorry sagas abound.

The story of the “missing five” from the Causeway Bay bookshop – which has the makings of a Rashomon mystery – is suspected to be dangerously close to undermining “one country, two systems”.

Failure to connect between the executive and the legislative is evident from marathon filibustering and arguments over cost overruns on projects seen by some as expensive white elephants or legal black holes.