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Bottom line on reform: Beijing has final say

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Central government wants no confusion on its power over HK's political system

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The tone is polite but the message cannot be clearer: the central government will have the final say over the pace and development of Hong Kong's political system.

That is how Beijing officials believe President Hu Jintao's remarks should be received in Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, Mr Hu told Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa that state leaders were 'highly concerned' with Hong Kong's constitutional review and were confident Hong Kong 'will reach a broad-based consensus on the issue'.

Mr Hu noted that the city's political system must develop in line with the Basic Law and the practical conditions of Hong Kong.

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But the president's remarks were taken by many in Hong Kong as encouraging more political reform. Hence, four mainland legal experts were called in hastily on Thursday to flesh out the president's statements.

The remarks by Mr Hu and the legal experts signal a significant shift in the central government's policy towards Hong Kong - with far-reaching implications. The central government appears to have adopted a more proactive approach in handling issues related to Hong Kong following the mass anti-government protest on July 1 and the embarrassing defeat of the pro-government Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong in last month's district council elections.

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