I also agree that they (as well as every people) have a right to self-determination, but the available alternative to having Chinese masters isn't independence, it's having some Western masters, some Chinese masters. (Dependence on China is inevitable - it's the overwhelmingly biggest economic partner and cultural influencer.) There may be some benefits to some in Hong Kong to straddle the two worlds, but it sparks obvious backlash from China - no major power can tolerate a constituent part/close neighbor with dual loyalties, particularly when the loyalty is to their rivals. So while Hong Kong has its rights, China can't afford to act disinterested in this dog-eat-dog world.