The Hong Kong government published a long-awaited electoral blueprint for selecting the city's next leader on Wednesday, a plan enshrining China's desire for a tightly controlled poll that has angered activists and stoked talk of fresh protests.

The government proposal follows huge pro-democracy demonstrations last year in one of the boldest populist challenges to Beijing's Communist Party rule since the former British colony returned to Chinese control in 1997.

Analysts said the conservative blueprint, which lawmakers will vote on early in summer — could again stir political tensions in the financial hub after a lull of several months.