Beijing 'expected backlash' over its white paper

Beijing knew full well the likely backlash against a white paper in which it unequivocally stated its unquestioned authority over Hong Kong - and decided it was vital to press ahead anyway.

The white paper, published last week, has become a rallying point for pan-democrats who are using it to motivate Hongkongers to join a public vote on political reform starting today, and the July 1 protest rally.

Several mainland researchers familiar with the central government's policies on Hong Kong said Beijing assessed the political risk, but decided it had to spell out its stance as the political reform process ahead of the 2017 chief executive election reached a crucial juncture. It wanted to stress the relationship between "one country" and "two systems", as well as the need for the city's first democratically elected leader to "love the country".

The document reminded Hongkongers that it was the central government's prerogative to oversee how Hong Kong's affairs were run, adding that some people in Hong Kong were "confused and lopsided" in their understanding of the "one country, two systems" policy.

The paper was issued 10 days ago, and some associated the timing with the Occupy Central movement's vote on models for the 2017 election, which runs from today until June 29. The movement, which plans to rally activists to block roads in Central unless the government brings forward a plan for 2017 that meets international standards for democracy, had been under fire for shortlisting three similar models, all of which would allow the public to nominate candidates.

Beijing has ruled out the idea, insisting that only a nominating committee can pick hopefuls under the Basic Law. The limited choice had led to concerns people who did not want confrontation with Beijing would not vote.