What a baby signifies

The Duke of Cambridge Prince William and his wife Princess Kate of the United Kingdom welcomed their first child into the world on Tuesday. As always the birth of a new generation of the royal family set off nationwide celebrations. It also reflects the nation's respect for tradition and demonstrates the reward for the country to maintain stability under constitutional monarchy.

The British royal court chose to coexist with a progressive political system because it is the best way for the nation to go forward. This is a great inspiration for Hong Kong in maintaining the spirit of tolerance and realism and finding a path for constitutional development that is best suited to Hong Kong's real condition and conducive to social stability and development.

With the establishment of constitutional monarchy following the Glorious Revolution (1688) the British royal family has been without real governing power for centuries but remains greatly respected around the world. Why? Because in the process of establishing constitutional monarchy the British public chose to let the royal family maintain its symbolic status in exchange for nationwide relative stability; while the monarch gave up his real reign over the Commonwealth in exchange for not being overthrown. The UK still allows some aristocratic privileges today, as membership of the House of Lords remains hereditary or by appointment. Britain's democracy has been progressing in a gradual fashion to avoid violent impacts that a radical revolution would have on the whole nation. This is the ultimate example of the UK-style politics, characterized by rational thinking and compromise.

Hong Kong can learn a thing or two from Britain in advancing constitutional development in a gradual fashion, particularly its political culture of emphasizing continuity and stability, cherishing tradition but also recognizing reality and avoiding radicalism and violence.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on July 24.

(HK Edition 07/25/2013 page1)