HKIA is the critical lifeline of Hong Kong, the economy is already suffering, i think its matter of time before PLA gets involved. I'm very concerned for Hong Kong and its people.
What could force possibly accomplish? Do you think an economy would operate after you massacre thousands? Do you think people would show up to work? They could sack the city, guaranteeing no money would come out of it. If it’s profit they want then they will need to bend, not break.
I agree that force would only result in more pushback. But Beijing increasingly sees Hong Kong as a problematic territory. At the time of handover Hong Kong almost constituted 18% of China’s GDP and now it’s less than that of what Shenzhen contributes. So Hong Kong is losing its leverage to claim autonomy and if Hong Kong’s economy further contracts, what choice people in Hong Kong have?