Chris Patten has three pieces of advice to "keep Hong Kong free" so that it can "move forward." This requires China to "ease fears" that it is not going to do away with the “one country, two systems” principle. The international community needs to remind Beijing of its "promises" to the Hong Kong people and warn China against being an "untrustworthy partner." The problem is that most countries put their economic interests ahead of human rights, turning a blind eye to Beijing's crackdown on democracy.

Second - according to the author - democracy activists must focus more on their cause, while avoiding a "call for independence," a move that Beijing will not tolerate. It is a tall order to expect the government to "open a dialogue with them, characterized by mutual respect and transparency." Unfortunately the Beijing-backed administration and courts in Hong Kong are at China's bidding. Critics say the political climate has hardened since Xi Jinping came to power in 2013, and the leadership has tightened its grip on the former British colony.

The three activists - Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow - were initially given non-custodial sentences for their involvement in the 2014 pro-democracy mass protests, known as the umbrella movement. But the court of appeal overturned the ruling after the complaint about the leniency, and gave them jail terms of between six and eight months. Moreover they have been "prohibited from seeking public office for five years."

The author says, it is crucial that the people of Hong Kong "should not give up hope, as the Chinese communists hope they will." If they "remain resolute in their commitment, Hong Kong will remain a great free city," and they would be able to choose their own leaders. The 79-day protests in 2014 were all about using nonviolent means to fight for the territory's democratic system.

Beijing had been accused of going back on its promises, by setting out clear limits on who can run for the position of chief executive, Hong Kong's top leader. These rules made it virtually impossible for anyone not trusted by the Chinese government to stand for election. Protesters said Beijing had reneged on decades of vows to stick to the "one country, two systems" rule and give Hong Kong people the right to nominate their own chief executive.

Another issue had made headlines in recent months with new laws that might criminalise disrespecting the Chinese national anthem - the March of the Volunteers - imposing a prison sentence of 15 days on offenders. This was seen as the latest sign of Beijing’s creeping influence in Hong Kong.

China's rival, India has also its Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. The 1971 legislation prohibits the desecration of or insult to the country's national symbols, including the National Flag, the Constitution and the National Anthem. Trump has recently kicked up a fuss about American athlets disrespecting the national anthem, instead of showing concerns about the sufferings in Puerto Rico. It shows that nationalism is a leader's handy tool to whip up a nation, when he seeks to distract his citizens from failures and mistakes. Xi is no different.