Having the capacity to be self-critical is important except when it stops us from creating opportunities for change.

Hong Kong has a lot going for it but we have just about talked ourselves to death with our political dissatisfactions.

The COVID-19 pandemic should have given us some perspective — Hong Kong has done well, when compared to many societies that people often think are better than ours, such as many Western countries and cities.

This self-critical trait is not uncommon around the world. People are generally highly critical of their own government because local people are familiar with the personalities of their leaders and the minutiae of the daily ins-and-outs of public affairs.

We hold our own to a high standard and they often disappoint us for all sorts of reasons; and we can be most unforgiving. No wonder they say: “No man is a hero to his valet.”

The world has also become much more partisan. If you are not with us, you are against us. Those on the opposite side are seen as lesser beings with bad morals or just downright evil.

This is a time when Hong Kong can choose to make its cause a domestic one, since we have to work with Beijing long term on constitutional reform. When the US uses Hong Kong as a sword against Beijing, we could make it clear that we need to sort out our own challenges; and we have no wish to be dragged into a bigger geopolitical fight, where we will be tossed about, not knowing where we might fall

Reaching across the aisle, which used to be the hallmark of good politics, is now being regarded as almost treasonous in many political arenas because people are simply becoming more dogmatic and entrenched in their beliefs, which makes compromises increasingly difficult.

Finding the middle ground, building consensus and willingness to compromise seem dissatisfactory because they can’t justify our self-righteousness. Standing our ground — all or nothing — confirms our beliefs, especially when an issue is pitched between good and evil. To be fair, this is reflected not only in the Hong Kong Legislative Council, but in the US Congress, where bipartisanship has become a rarity. We can and should do better.

Thus, some public officials, and even whole governments and countries, are seen as “bad”, and nothing they do can be viewed positively. Indeed, the politics of the day is to bring opponents down.

The most effective way is to sow doubt, and even hatred of those we don’t like. The leaked campaign strategy of the Republican Party in America offers a very good example. It advises candidates to focus on framing China for “causing” the COVID-19 pandemic; and accuses the opposition of being “soft” on China.

The accusatory rhetoric is designed to deflect the US’ own failure to deal with the coronavirus that is causing havoc across America. It puts the blame on someone else and paints him as the enemy that must be defeated, and then beats one’s own breast to look tough by calling for sanctions on the “bad guy”.

The US congressional and presidential elections in November will be ugly when the traditional China-bashing will be indulged in with greater ferocity than ever. It will be that much worse for us because Hong Kong is going to be dragged into the mud fight.

America, the dominant economic and military power, has made it plain that China is an adversary and strategic competitor, whose pace of development needs to be slowed and any hint of its surpassing America in technological achievement must be nipped in the bud.

Hong Kong must ensure it stays out of the fray because when two elephants fight, it’s the ants that get trampled. Our job is to fulfil the promise embodied in the Basic Law, so that we enjoy being the most liberal part of the nation that doesn’t challenge national unity at a time of geopolitical realignment.

It is going to be a rough ride. COVID-19 has revealed real-time the underlying strengths and weaknesses of nation states. The story is far from over, as we learn more about this new, highly infectious disease, and how governments act and respond.

The US is an unexpected outlier. It has not coped well because of a failure of political leadership, not lack of expertise. Its leadership is determined to pin the fault on China and divert attention away from its gross negligence.

In its litany of China’s fault is Hong Kong. While our protest leaders have sought international attention to call for support, this is not the time to ride the anti-China wave because it will only deepen Beijing’s mistrust in Hong Kong.

This is a time when Hong Kong can choose to make its cause a domestic one, since we have to work with Beijing long term on constitutional reform. When the US uses Hong Kong as a sword against Beijing, we could make it clear that we need to sort out our own challenges; and we have no wish to be dragged into a bigger geopolitical fight, where we will be tossed about, not knowing where we might fall.

Such an attitude will show Beijing that we are loyal to China although we have not given up our desire for reform, which we wish to engage in meaningful dialogue with the central government authorities.

The future is uncertain not only because of geopolitics. There is much that we will have to do in the post-pandemic era. Economies around the world have taken a battering. Industries have to adapt. Employers will reassess how they want their offices to function and employees to work. There will be cost cuttings and many jobs are in danger.

We need our government and legislature to function effectively in the post-pandemic transition. Hong Kong does not need to make things even more difficult by internal political instability at a time of great uncertainty.

This delicate moment provides a political opportunity to pursue peace locally and with Beijing. It calls for our politicians to show their political courage by laying down their arms, to discard their partisanship and set realistic goals for the greater good of our community. The people should demand it.

The author is a former undersecretary for environment and a lawmaker. She is also chief development strategist at the Institute for the Environment at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.