By Chris Hogg BBC in Hong Kong

Protesters in Hong Kong have demanded political reform

A Chinese newspaper regarded as the mouthpiece of official policy, has warned Hong Kong to expect chaos if it persists with demands for democracy.

The paper, the China Daily, points to the uncertainty surrounding the recent election in Taiwan.

It says that it is an example of the chaos which democracy can bring.

Taiwan's president was re-elected by the narrowest of margins after an apparent assassination attempt and the opposition has asked for a recount.

The commentary in the China Daily expands on a theme already being voiced by pro-China politicians here in Hong Kong.

They have described Taiwan's election chaos as democracy gone wrong.

The opposition has demanded a recount and a re-run of the election and has described the attack on the president as suspicious.

Although it has no firm evidence, it suggests the shooting may have been faked in order to create a sympathy vote for President Chen Shui-bian - charges he strenuously denies.

The article in the China Daily says that if democracy is fostered in a radical way that is more than the local community can handle, the inevitable outcome is the disruption of social order.

This can lead to the paralysis of governance and social chaos, it says. Analysts interpret this as an attack on the campaign in Hong Kong for the introduction of universal suffrage by 2007.