Given the historical, cultural, legal, and linguistic differences between Beijing and Hong Kong, perhaps the UK and Ireland are a better analogy here. "London

Given the historical, cultural, legal, and linguistic differences between Beijing and Hong Kong, perhaps the UK and Ireland are a better analogy here. "London signals plan to take full control of Dublin" would not go over well. Or Belfast, for that matter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_rule_(Northern_Ireland) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_rule_(Northern_Ireland) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles