I’VE been to Hong Kong as a young boy, a soldier and a tourist.

On each occasion, I recall friendly, law-abiding and hard-working people who hold the UK in high regard.

The former colony was under British rule for 156 years, until we handed it back finally to China in 1997.

Many doubts were raised at the time over China’s willingness to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The ‘one country, two systems’ approach was due to hold for 50 years; now, with 29 years left, China looks set to renege.

Worse, the developments sound disturbing.

High on the list is China’s sinister, new ‘national security law’, which threatens historic freedoms.

Measures include prosecution of citizens for political crimes and a requirement for Hong Kong authorities to report back to Beijing on the so-called ‘national security education’ of the people.

I think we all know what that means.

For the UK, this is a significant challenge, as more than 2.5 million Hong Kong citizens have the right to live and work here under arrangements agreed at the handover.

This week, both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have promised to extend their rights, which could pave the way to citizenship, should China’s new law be passed.

Together with Australia, Canada and the US, the UK has issued a joint statement expressing deep concern, which has been backed by New Zealand, Japan and the EU.

There’s no doubt that, were Hong Kong citizens to come here, their undoubted abilities would only benefit the UK.

However, it’s not just Hong Kong that’s in China’s sights.

On Radio 4’s Today Programme on Wednesday, former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt warned of a possible military move against Taiwan by the Chinese.

What a test of the West’s resolve that would be.