Beijing will step in if security is threatened

"In exercising the high degree of autonomy, the Hong Kong SAR [Special Administrative Region] must ensure the protection of the authority of the central government and the interests of the country. ......In the event of turmoil in the SAR that is beyond the control of the SAR government and which endangers national unity and security, the standing committee of the NPC has the power to decide that the SAR enters into a state of emergency and that the central government may issue an order applying the relevant national laws in Hong Kong." - Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the National People's Congress

"The relationship between the central government and the SAR is a relationship between the central authorities and a region, a relationship of authorisation and being authorised. Therefore, the system and policies implemented in the SAR, including that of the political system and its structure, can only be stipulated by the central government in accordance with the Basic Law." - Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office deputy director Chen Zuoer

"People will feel alienated if Chinese officials continue to lecture Hong Kong like that. I don't think Beijing wants to see the public diverting their dissatisfaction against the Hong Kong government to the central government. .....Beijing clearly has a final say in the reforms. There is no doubt about that. But the important thing is that it should also respect the aspirations of the Hong Kong people." - Democrats chairman Yeung Sum

"However mild the way he made the remarks, the reality is that it's intimidation to the people of Hong Kong. What's more, it wants the locals to soon speak in the same breath with the central authorities. .....But this sort of hardline approach may only result in strong counter-effects," - Veteran mainland-watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu

Stop lecturing us, say the Democrats
Beijing will step in if security is threatened