[koenigdavidmj]

The point is that China has external pressure not to do that.

[chewz]

And much stronger internal preasure to do this disregarding externalities

The trick with running an autoracy is that it has to be absolute. If one city could disobey and contend the rulers then others will follow.

I would expect few car bombs to follow soon. Terrorism is such a tabu in the West that it would give China carte blanche in HK.