Was this necessary?

I understand the philosophy and support it, but there is always a line you shouldn't be crossing.

I think you underestimate how huge this Hong Kong crisis is.

I live in China and often visit hong kong with friends there. I'm very up to date on the situation.

What people don't recognize, however, is that this is a unique position in the world. China and anything like it has never happened before. The police and military of HK could turn its back against the CCP and join the people, and it would still be ineffective because the CCP literally own their military in the mainland which by size makes efforts of HK little more than a dead pixel on a screen.

HK used to be significant in terms of economic contribution but now it's a fraction of China's overall economy.

The west is doing close to nothing, with who you would think are the closest allies, the UK, not even talking about it and just letting China do its thing. The US is making vague gestures but politicians are not openly talking about it at all to the mainstream.

Countries are doing nothing because they want to keep their profits which largely comes from China. HK is alone in this with some little whispering voices on Reddit and whatever muttering support on a casual level.

Chinas economy is not doing great at all, true, but those who tell you the country is on the verge of collapse are messing with you. This place has a life-time president, a one-party system, and the ability and freedom to manipulate their economy pretty much however they please, even if that means, like in the days of Mao Zedong, creating another 'Great Leap Foward'. This is entirely within their 'right' and ability.

I mean what do you think will happen just because HK is in the news a lot? Xi is going to bend over and be like 'ok you win guys, freedom for all!'?

I get the HK thing is huge, but I also get, as most HK people do, it's futile. That is sad, but we are powerless to anything