A National People's Congress leader warned the people of Hong Kong to stop "messing around" with politics, suggesting Hong Kong might be marginalized if it does not focus on economic growth.
The comments came less than two weeks before the selection of a new Hong Kong leader. Incumbent Chief Executive Donald Tsang has been challenged by pro-democrat Alan Leong, whose campaign is seen by some as a protest against an uncompetitive electoral system.
"You are very successful now," Cheng Siwei, a vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee said, "but you should think of a possible crisis when are you living in comfort." The Standing Committee has the power to approve changes to Hong Kong's electoral process.