Why Hong Kong frightens Beijing.

(From The Standard)

Byline: Cannix Yau

Beijing's increasingly hardline statements on political reform over the past week have bewildered many in Hong Kong. The demand that only ``patriots'' _ defined by Beijing as its supporters _ are qualified to rule Hong Kong seemingly reflects hardening attitudes in the capital. But it has served to focus public discontent in Hong Kong away from the embattled administration of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, towards Beijing itself. Just six weeks ago, at the beginning of the year, many Hong Kong people still had high hopes that Beijing would allow them a high degree of autonomy in determining the future shape of political reform. Those hopes look increasingly untenable.

Why is mighty Beijing so frightened of this city of 6.8 million …