"It exploited the colony and local residents of HK as much as China does now." If by 'exploited' you mean 'foisted Hong Kong to an immeasurably higher standard

"It exploited the colony and local residents of HK as much as China does now." If by 'exploited' you mean 'foisted Hong Kong to an immeasurably higher standard of living than the mainland, and protected them from the brutal oppression of the CCP, and enabled HK to be an example Asian country, one of the most sophisticated nations, with one of the highest GDP/capita in the region and world' ... then ok. And of course 'The CCP now' will brutally oppress HK, bring them behind the curtain, throw away any legal process, watch their every move, subject them to any number of controls and censorship ... So that's one funny way to look at it.