I lived in Hong Kong in and off between other Asian postings for over 30 years. Until 2019 HK was a ‘brother of a different mother’ in China.
Over time I visited different areas throughout China. The geography is majestic in places and financial gain at speed has had enormous impact on that as well as in cities. This comes at a price that may not be immediately apparent to a euphoric observer.
In China there are lovely people and venal people, as anywhere. Wearing a uniform helps identifying the latter but it is those without that you really have to be wary of. And the ubiquitous CCTV. Everyone learns to hide what they truly think and feel.
I love Hong Kong and its now beleaguered Cantonese people and wish for them a safe and free future. Wishing earnestly, but without hope.