A series of moves largely orchestrated by China has pricked Hong Kong’s democracy bubble. Beijing has become savvier about dealing with the city, seemingly taking into account public opinion even as it increasingly calls the shots. In March, the Chinese leadership nudged Hong Kong’s aloof and deeply unpopular Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, into resigning. That paved the way for Tung’s No. 2, Donald Tsang, a gregarious, astute career civil servant with the common touch. Beijing has publicly backed him as the best man to run Hong Kong”even though some of the city’s pro-China leaders openly question his “patriotic” credentials.