Chinese official hints at electoral changes to ensure 'patriots' run Hong Kong

Speculation grows China seeking to block opposition candidates and overhaul judiciary

A top Chinese official has outlined plans to ensure only patriots" run Hong Kong, as Beijing seeks to neuter any remaining democratic opposition and take a more direct role in how the business hub is run.

The landmark speech by Xia Baolong, the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, came two weeks before the annual meeting of China's rubber-stamp legislature and as speculation grew that further measures were being planned to sew up control of the city.