Just how long did anyone expect the CCP would allow Hong Kong liberties not allowed on the mainland? Does anyone really believe the British government actually thought the CCP would give Hong Kong 50 years?
I thought that China would allow Hong Kong to maintain some freedoms, at least for many years, because Hong Kong had such a strong economy.
As China has introduced many free market reforms into their country in recent decades, some may have thought that the Chinese communists appreciate some aspects of freedom and capitalism. And Hong Kong exemplified those benefits.
But then, the Chinese government is still a totalitarian regime, even if they aren’t adhering to communist ideology as strongly nowadays.
I’m sure the Chinese communist leaders are afraid of Hong Kong freedoms infecting the rest of China, politically speaking.
The bottom line is that the Chinese communist leaders must exert control. They want control above all.