BEIJING - The central government is fully confident that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) can handle the Occupy Central movement according to law, a spokesperson with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China's State Council said on Sunday.

The remarks came hours after some Hong Kongers launched the "illegal gathering" -- as the spokesperson termed -- of Occupy Central early on Sunday.

The central government firmly opposes all illegal activities that could undermine rule of law and jeopardize "social tranquility," and it offers its strong backing to the HKSAR government in efforts to maintain Hong Kong's social stability and protect the personal and property safety of Hong Kong citizens, the spokesperson said.

The Aug 31 decision made by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Hong Kong's electoral system was in line with the Basic Law and has heeded opinion from all walks of life in Hong Kong, thus carrying "unshakable" legal status and force, the spokesperson said.

The NPC decision granted universal suffrage in selection of the HKSAR's chief executive on the basis of nomination by a "broadly representative" committee.

Calling it the "constitutional foundation" for implementing universal suffrage in the election of the HKSAR chief executive, the spokesperson said that the decision complies with the region's actual condition and is conducive to safeguarding China's national sovereignty, security and development as well as to the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

The central government wishes people of all circles in Hong Kong would treasure and help maintain the current favorable situation of Hong Kong's steady development, take a rational and practical attitude to build consensus, and make concerted efforts to push for universal suffrage in the election of a chief executive for Hong Kong in 2017 in light of the Basic Law and the NPC decision.