Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- Tam Chi Tat has driven his bright red taxi for 20 years . Born and raised in Hong Kong , he calls himself not Chinese but a `` Hong Konger . '' The distinction is very important to him . `` The difference between Hong Kong and the mainland is that we grew up in a relatively free environment , '' he says . Relative freedom rings in this metropolis on the southern tip of China . There 's freedom of assembly , freedom of the press and rule of law . Since the handover from Britain to China 17 years ago , the people of Hong Kong were granted a wide range of civil liberties and a measure of autonomy under the governing principle known as `` one country , two systems . '' But many say that way of life is now under threat as Beijing affirms its `` comprehensive jurisdiction '' over Hong Kong in a white paper issued by the State Council Information Office . Many in Hong Kong consider the white paper an abrupt missive from Beijing declaring that they call the shots . Political muscles . Albert Ho is a member of Hong Kong 's Legislative Council and organizer of Occupy Central -- a movement of pro-democracy activists who have threatened to `` occupy '' the central business district if their calls are not heard . He tells me this is the message from Beijing : Hong Kong is subordinate to the central government . `` And when the time comes -- if it 's necessary and appropriate -- all the powers previously given , dedicated and authorized to Hong Kong , could be taken back , '' Ho adds . China 's political muscle flexing comes at a politically sensitive time for the territory , as scores of Hong Kongers demand true universal suffrage to elect their leader . The National People 's Congress has said that the election of Hong Kong 's top leader may be implemented by universal suffrage in 2017 . But will it happen without Beijing effectively screening the candidates ? As a hint of what will happen in 2017 , Michael DeGolyer , professor and director of the Hong Kong Transition Project , points to how patriotism is emphasized in the white paper . `` Clearly they are saying that ( patriotism ) is the fundamental requirement , '' DeGolyer says . `` And we have to be assured whoever is being nominated to run is patriotic , according to our definition , i.e . willing to follow orders . '' Standing ground . On July 1st in Hong Kong , tens of thousands of protesters -- if not more -- demonstrated for a free and open system to elect their government . After the march , more than 500 protesters were arrested at an illegal sit-in -- including Albert Ho . Prior to his arrest , the pro-democracy lawmaker told me he was willing to go to jail to expand democracy in Hong Kong `` because we have to make it absolutely clear to Beijing that they have to honor their promises given to the Hong Kong people . '' But is civil disobedience the only way forward ? Douglas Young is Hong Kong-born designer and co-founder of Goods of Desire , a retail business and lifestyle brand that draws inspiration from local icons from old mailboxes to mooncakes . Over the years , Young has courted controversy -- and the attention of Hong Kong police -- with a few eyebrow-raising designs . And yet the rebel designer believes persuasion -- not protest -- should shape the future of Hong Kong . Young addresses Albert Ho point blank : `` I think you are going to create more enemies than supporters . '' `` At the end of the day , especially in an Asian society , I do n't think people react well with aggression . It 's soft power , it 's persuasion , that can appeal to them . '' True freedom . Like many other business owners in Hong Kong , Young believes demonstrations should take a backseat to dialogue with China to bring about more opportunity . `` We should integrate with China , '' Young says . `` Kids will be able to build their homes and businesses because what we suffer from is the lack of space in Hong Kong . '' `` If we can embrace Guangzhou , Shanghai , Dongguan and Macau , Hong Kong will be a great metropolis . '' But , as Albert Ho points out , such opportunity requires both sound infrastructure and sound governance . `` We need good government , '' Ho tells me emphatically . `` And that must be based on a truly democratic government . '' Hong Kong taxi driver Tam Chi Tat wants his vote to truly count one day . `` I definitely want universal suffrage , '' he says . `` So that we can have a leader who is not as corrupt as mainland officials . '' It 's the aspiration of a people raised on freedom . But true universal suffrage anywhere on Chinese soil is not something Beijing will easily grant .
Hong Kong governed by China under ` ` one country , two systems '' model allows the residents more freedoms than the rest of the country . The election of Hong Kong 's top leadership may be by universal suffrage in 2017 . But will it happen without properly identifying the candidates ? Hong Kong resident : ` ` I definitely support universal suffrage so that we can have a leader who is not as corrupt as mainland officials ''