Well. I figure California has a better chance of gaining freedom from the USA than HK breaking away from China.
Has anyone in HK actually done a poll/plebecite to see if they actually have a majority that thinks that independence is the correct course of action? I could swear there were just as many people protesting the British and pro-China not all that long ago. If its just a million or so students and right wingers and not a majority, then it might be worth rethinking.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_California Just like Hong Kongers, Californians are a bunch of whiny crybabies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Quebec_referendum Not that China is a democracy, but you can have 49% of people one way and 51% the other, and the protest side still looks huge because they are protesting.
If you can rally 3.7 million citizens to all raise up a placard at the same time in a unified manner and capture it on live video, you've got a shot at it. Even stronger, if you can get 3.7 million citizens to sign their names, have their photos taken, and claim that they want independence - I'd say you have a shot. Under a democracy that would be grounds for action, and if you can't even get enough support for action under democracy - then you have zero chance under British or Chinese rule.
BTW: I still think British Colombia should be renamed.