US began laying the brickwork for a colour revolution in Hong Kong even before1997 handover: NED funding for HK-based groups dates back to 1994 & was described as “consistent” by Louisa Greve, VP of programs for Asia, Middle East & North Africa until 2017 https://www.greanvillepost.com/2020/06/06/opinion-agents-of-chaos-how-the-u-s-seeded-a-colour-revolution-in-hong-kong/

Its first strategic objective was to prevent the enactment of a national security law (Article 23) in Hong Kong, as this would effectively make the activities of NED and other foreign-funded organizations illegal.

To prepare a colour revolution, a network of interlocking foundations and charities is usually set up to put thousands of people through training courses, seminars, practical tuition conducted by legal and media specialists. And that was the case in Hong Kong too.

.. when British rule ended in 1997 it left behind a toxic legacy of colonial institutions, British-trained civil servants and a damaged collective psyche precariously held together by a false sense of superiority towards mainland China.

Laura Ruggeri