Trouble in HK: Beyond the election draft rules

THE National People’s Congress Standing Committee’s (NPCSC) recent decision on Hong Kong’s future elections has drawn much attention. On this issue, Beijing’s attitude has been very clear: First, Hong Kong’s chief executive election is China’s domestic affair. Second, the political future of Hong Kong should be and must be realized within the framework of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. Third, the NPCSC’s decision on Hong Kong elections shows the central government’s strong will and determination to ensure progressive democracy as well as the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Obviously, Hong Kong’s pan-democratic groups did not expect such a strong and uncompromising resolution from the central government. But the pan-democrats’ tendency to seek help from or consult with the West is completely unacceptable to Beijing and makes the central government very uncomfortable. Meanwhile, the “Occupy Central Movement” has been criticized by many Chinese as unreasonable.