According to a Reuters source this is how China views its relationship with Hong Kong:

“The mainland has been too nice to Hong Kong,” said the first source with leadership ties. “The relationship between the center and Hong Kong is not one between brothers, but between father and son. The son has to listen to the father.”

And the reported reply to a question as to “whether Beijing would allow any democrat to run for the city’s highest office”:

The fact that you are allowed to stay alive, already shows the country’s inclusiveness

Wow. So much to read and digest here.