Premier Li Keqiang has dismmised worries over Beijing's policy towards Hong Kong.Premier Li Keqiang dismissed worries that Beijing would tighten controls over Hong Kong, saying that the central government would not "easily" change its policy towards the city.
Li said the government was committed to the consistent and full implementation of the "one-country, two systems" policy.
"Some people worry whether the central government will tighten these policies towards Hong Kong. There is no need," Li said at a briefing after the end of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC), which passes Communist Party proposals.
"The Basic Law stipulates that the systems of the Special Administrative Region and one-country, two systems policy represent the will of the country and the desire of the people. They cannot be changed easily," Li said.
Earlier this month, NPC Standing Committee chairman Zhang Dejiang said that a patriotic curriculum for Hong Kong students could be needed after the "illegal" Occupy protests.
The comments echoed remarks last month by the head of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, who said Beijing aimed to tighten its control of the global financial hub.
The duration and intensity of the protests surprised officials in both Hong Kong and Beijing.