On the first day of this year, the Hong Kong police arrested four locals for breaking into the headquarters of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in the island city on December 26. On the same day, many parades were launched by some political groups, among which the opposition who asked for "true universal suffrage" caught people's eyes. These parades are the first impression Hong Kong has made on the world in the new year.

As a globally renowned free port, Hong Kong enjoys a high reputation for its free market. But now, it might be listed as one of the world's most "politicized cities" after seeing thousands of protests in only one year.

Some Hongkongers think they are superior to their compatriots on the mainland and like flaunting their "real freedom." These efforts are aimed at ultimately breaking the Basic Law.

Political tolerance doesn't mean everyone can challenge the bottom line of social order and laws as they want. The arrest sent an obvious signal to the outside, reaffirming those political disputes must be addressed within the legal system. Hong Kong is a free area but it must be run under the rule of law.

As a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong must comply with the Basic Law, which has been set as the supreme law of the land. The 2017 universal suffrage will be launched to elect a regional executive, not the head of a state. Hong Kong's opposition have to learn how to respect the bottom line of Hong Kong's rule of law.

Hong Kong needs to reflect on its social development before the suffrage comes. Mainstream public opinion still has a rational view of economic growth and social construction, but the opposition are trying to tear apart this integrated community under the banner of Western democracy.

Hong Kong has been troubled by an identity problem since its return to China in 1997. It's a common problem for a long lost territory. But politicizing this problem even to the extent of challenging the rule of law needs to be rectified.

The mainland wants a stable Hong Kong for the benefit of both sides. It is the US and UK which have their own selfish interests in Hong Kong. This island city has long been coveted by the US as one of its landing sites to "pivot to Asia." The UK wants to sustain its traditional influence on its then colony.

Breaking into barracks and launching "Occupy Central" protests will never help the opposition realize their ambitions. But it remains doubtful whether the opposition will quit challenging the rule of law and establish a healthy "opposition culture," or they will continue on the road of no return, and sacrifice the benefits of Hong Kong society.

The article is an editorial published in the Chinese edition of the Global Times on Thursday. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn