Veteran Beijing loyalist Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai yesterday joined the ranks of those dismissing rumours that Beijing was considering sacking Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, saying the chance of that was "minimal".
Her comments came after two mainland officials responsible for Hong Kong affairs openly rejected the suggestion last week.
However, a political analyst believes Beijing is simply trying to get everyone on the same page during the sensitive time surrounding the 18th party congress.
Fan, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said over the past four months Leung had been trying to roll out policies and, despite all the challenges he had met, there was "no reason" for such a rumour to spread.
"Replacing the chief executive is a very serious matter and that would definitely not be a rash happening," she said. "The chance [of Beijing replacing the chief executive] is minimal."
Both Li Gang , deputy director of the central government's liaison office, and Wang Guangya , director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, dismissed the rumour last week, saying it was "ridiculous" and "groundless" respectively.