[Ramius]

You're right in that it *is* interesting. But the reality is that even the ChiComs don't have the horsepower it would take to shut down Hong Kong. Market economies are a funny thing that way.

[smalltown]

Maybe, but they have allowed a free press, freedom of religion, unions (real ones), and many of the trappings of a free society to continue largly unhindered.
Frankly, I expected tanks in the streets which would have provided all the horsepower necessary.