Until now, the defiant actions of a pair of pro-independence Hong Kong legislators, although irritating to Beijing, had not drawn direct action from the mainland. However, as the city's government confirmed Nov. 3, after the fourth time the newly elected lawmakers altered their prescribed oath of office to pledge allegiance to "the Hong Kong nation," the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress decided to take the unusual step of deliberating a direct intervention in the city's politics.

One outcome of the committee's decision over the interpretation of the Basic Law governing Hong Kong, which is expected next week, could be to disqualify the lawmakers from sitting on the city's Legislative Council. Such an action would come as concerns intensify in Beijing about the growing popularity of the pro-independence movement in Hong Kong.

The repeated refusal of the two lawmakers to follow the oath stipulated in an article of the Basic Law — which specifies they must swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China — is also the subject of a case before the city's High Court, which could also disqualify the pair. However, the judicial process can be a lengthy one, and it is possible Beijing wants to accelerate the timing or to avoid handing down a decision that might differ from the court ruling.

A direct intervention by Beijing could certainly backfire in Hong Kong, which has already seen sporadic demonstrations accusing the mainland of interfering with its political autonomy and judicial independence. But given its concern over the former British colony's rising tide of nativism and pro-independence sentiment, Beijing may be willing to take the risk to push its agenda, even if it might further alienate the Hong Kong public.

Whatever the outcome of Beijing's deliberations, the strength of Hong Kong's pro-independence movement points to a growing policy dilemma for Beijing that will affect the future political and economic relationship between the city and the mainland. While the movement remains small, its appeal to young residents of the city bodes ill for Beijing and points to future challenges as that generation comes of age.