Senior NPC official Qiao Xiaoyang yesterday likened the Basic Law interpretations to a bridge for Hong Kong people to cross to reach the destination of full democracy.
While sceptics will dismiss Beijing's move as being a bridge to nowhere, optimists can cling to a degree of hope.
Though Mr Qiao has been non-committal on the early implementation of universal suffrage in Hong Kong, critics will be adamant that yesterday's interpretation of the mini-constitution has fundamentally altered the ground rules for electing the chief executive and the legislature in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
With the interpretation, the NPC Standing Committee has the final say on whether there is a need for change and on whether such change is acceptable. In the words of Mr Qiao, Beijing holds the decision-making power at the beginning and the end.
The role of Hong Kong people and their elected representatives in the legislature in initiating change has become marginalised and blurred.
That said, there are good reasons for optimists to take seriously Mr Qiao's renewed pledge on the ultimate goal of universal suffrage. They will pressure Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa to tell Beijing - faithfully and impartially - of their demand for change.
As Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said last night, it was clear most people felt the need for changes to the present electoral arrangements.