The big march for democracy on December 4 proved again that Hongkongers do not care only about making money. At a time when the economy is picking up, it must have stunned the local and central governments to see so many people taking to the streets to demand elections by universal suffrage.
The surprise appearance by former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang made the political environment even more volatile.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has said that there is little scope for changing the government's political reform proposals. Thus, it is almost certain that the package will be voted down by pro-democracy legislators next Wednesday.
As a sop to the pro-democracy camp, Beijing despatched the deputy secretary-general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Qiao Xiaoyang , to Shenzhen on December 2 to hear dissenting views.
Mr Qiao said the central government had expected 'good news' after the publication of the proposals, implying that Beijing had anticipated easy passage in the Legislative Council. I asked him whether the central government felt it had been misled, but Mr Qiao did not reply.
The appearance of Mrs Chan at the march has created further trouble for Mr Tsang. I am given to understand that he phoned her on the morning of the march, since it was widely reported in the media that she would join the rally. As he could not get through, he left a message, but Mrs Chan did not return the call. Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan then went to meet Mrs Chan. But by then, it was too late to salvage the situation.
Beijing apparently wanted Mr Tsang to explain why Mrs Chan had suddenly joined the protest in such a high-profile manner.