But that doesn't change the political relationship between the central government and Hong Kong: the central government has an undisputed guiding role to play in Hong Kong's political development. If anyone questions this basic fact, it would only show that he/she lacks even the basic understanding of the political meaning of "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

The Hong Kong CE election is a regional election for China, on which the central government has to make certain decisions. After the National People's Congress Standing Committee made a decision on Hong Kong's political reform on Aug 31, 2014, the city's opposition groups launched the "Occupy Central" movement to challenge it, a move that lacked political or legal basis.

Third, does Hong Kong's Basic Law clearly stipulate the nomination procedure for universal suffrage? If not, the Hong Kong opposition groups' tactics to pressure the central government on universal suffrage is illegal. And does the central government's decision conform to the Basic Law? Yes, it does. But since there is a sharp difference in Hong Kong society on the nomination mechanism, abiding by the law is the only way to reach consensus.

The developments on the education front in Hong Kong and the "Occupy Central" movement have made it all the important for the central government to ensure that Hong Kong's democratic politics develop orderly according to the law; otherwise the very purpose of having the "One Country, Two Systems" policy will be defeated.

The central government has followed the rules to hear different voices on political reform in Hong Kong, which should also make pan-democratic forces in the region respect the rules. And the Basic Law and the decision of the NPC Standing Committee are the rules for the development of democracy in Hong Kong.

The author is deputy director of the Center for Basic Laws of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions Studies at Shenzhen University.