The 70th anniversary of Chinese Communism passed with all the militarised bravado anticipated. How tragically appropriate that the event will be remembered not for China’s muscle flexing, but for the shooting in the chest of a Hong Kong protester at point blank range. This is just the latest betrayal of millions of Chinese who 30 years ago saw a false dawn of freedom ended in the massacre of Tiannemen Square. But it’s not only Beijing who is guilty of betrayal.

"Two systems, one country" is perishing. A close look at its decomposition reveals the anatomy of a very British betrayal. And like most betrayals the effects of our sins are felt far beyond our own consciences. I write from Taipei where Britain’s abandonment of Hong Kong feels very real indeed.

Hong Kong was not a latter day acquisition for the Empire. The territory became a Crown Colony in 1842 while the Qing dynasty was still reigning. For context, this was the the same year that Queen Victoria first used a train. That's 177 years of relationship with only a short hiatus during the Japanese occupation. Who would have believed that 17 decades after the Treaty of Nanjing, the Union Jack would be hoisted in defiance of Beijing by protesters proclaiming “I am not Chinese” in full-throated unison?