HONG KONG - The financial hub of Asia, plagued by unrest that has spanned more than eight months, will now come under greater scrutiny by the new chief of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) in an indication of Beijing's promise to quell demonstrations and protect national security.

Observers The Straits Times spoke with say the appointment of Mr Xia Baolong is triggered by the handling, or lack thereof, of the ongoing protests that have battered the city's economy and caused business confidence to plunge.