I'm just a westerner reading reports from other westerners. I'm relating my perception, as gleaned from western media.

"The characterization of Hong Kong..."

IIRC, I read there's a huge swing in the self identification of HK residents from "Chinese" to "Cantonese". Slim evidence, I know. But maybe directionally correct?

"Xinjiang and Tibet..."

I didn't say that. Western media has related that ethnic Tibetans and traditional Muslims have struggled, since I began reading the news in high school (80s).