The Western political establishment lived in a fairy land.
Echoing around houses of Parliament for decades was the mantra that a modernised China would be a freer China.
Western consumers bought endless piles of Chinese junk, ignoring the reality of tyranny.
In the antipodes, hordes of mainland students intimidate Hong Kong supporters, University Chancellors ignore the abuse, while consular staff applaud the violence in another country.
Cathay Pacific didn't even fight.
Imagine if crew were detained in the mainland?