Cynical as it may sound, I think that as long as the fat cats (politicians, powerful businessmen and important, \powerful families) have their economic freedom and wealth, the rest of Hong Kong will just have to accept Beijing's rule.
Taiwan won't be too far behind.
Taiwan ain't no beacon of democracy, imho. Never was; never will be. Chang was as vicious, avaricious, power-hungry and corrupt as any general or fat cat on the mainland. He was SIMPLY not a communist. The commies PROBABLY didn't offer him enough money way back when he was "bribe-able."
Chang's wife, a model of his ilk, just passed away a while back. She was 104 and lived in UNABASHED wealth and luxury, with her army of body guards and nurse, in a New York City penthouse. She was Chang all over again. Again, it's all an opinion folks, just based on what I've read over the years.