Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed that independence efforts in Hong Kong will lead nowhere, noting that Beijing would continue to implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

Analysts say that the remarks Li made when presenting the annual government work report on Sunday send a signal that the region’s next chief executive should handle the issue without compromise, echoing his calls for Hong Kong to thwart such movements.

“Senior officials in Beijing frequently mention Hong Kong independence, but this is the first time in an official document to the whole country and the whole world. It shows the official stance of the central government that Hong Kong independence will lead nowhere. HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) should be aware and do everything possible legally to forbid the growth of Hong Kong independence,” Andrew Fung, Director of Hong Kong Policy Research Institute told CGTN. 

Hong Kong was rocked by controversy last October when two lawmakers distorted their swearing-in procedure with pro-independence slogans. The NPC Standing Committee interpreted the Basic Law, ruling that lawmakers must be “sincere” in taking their oaths of office, with those who do not comply facing instant disqualification. Pro-independence sentiment in Hong Kong has grown in recent years, especially among the younger generation. Some people think that the “One Country, Two systems” principle may be under threat.

"More and more people in Hong Kong have the sentiment against China, so it leads to independence, the so-called self-determination. For example, the central government of course has the right to be concerned about the next chief executive; it’s like a mayor of provincial governor. So they have concern whether they have fulfilled the requirement. We should not be biased on one system. We should strike a balance,” Fung said.