There's a pretty long track record of CCP using violence, coercion and manipulation of public opinion in order to quell unrest, successfully, at the expense of great trauma on its people. I don't think Hong Kong stands a chance long term against that current. HK has always been completely dependent on mainland China for survival, starting with water and power. It has no Independent army. It is no longer as critical to China's economy as the gateway that it once was. It is no longer as critical to Western businesses either so very unlikely to be militarily defended by US. The CCP completely controls the domestic media narrative about the protests, including social media, and paints the protesters as violent agents of foreign influence - rousing wide popular scorn among mainlanders. I think we can admire the protesters for their restraint and persistence but if I were a HKger today I'd be looking for exits.

You have to think big picture. Hong Kong plays a major role in getting western capital into China. China relies on western capital & forced technology transfer to run their businesses. If Hong Kong goes on lockdown, the CPC kills their golden goose. Don't forget that many of the CPC high officials own significant property in Hong Kong, which will devalue their portfolio.

The CPC is relying on increasing totalitarianism, which puts internal pressure within their regime. All of this surveillance tech & concentration camps need to be paid for somehow. If there is an embargo against their organ harvesting, they lose the ability to profit from harvesting organs from people. If there are increased tariffs, they cannot finance all of their services such as rail systems or food production. The CPC is communist so there is heavy central planning. They use & don't follow the rules of international markets, but if the international markets reject this behavior, the CPC is running a centrally planned government which will quickly collapse.

There are plenty of people in the US government who are aware of the CPC's threat. The CPC has even impinged on the sovereignty of the US, including exporting Fentanyl into the US and compromising government & corporate officials. This is war & the US is forced to take action if it intends on protecting it's sovereignty.

The CPC can also reform & follow the rules of international trade & human rights; with action, not just promises. That would be the best case for everybody & would be the best chance to fulfill the "mandate of heaven".