Not to mention HK's GDP made up approximately 25% of all of China's GDP I believe when the handover went through, which has obviously come down to about 3% now. HK was simply far more important in the 90s to China than it is now and ruffling feathers to bend it to its will will no longer carry the same penalties or be as painful as it would have done previously.
My friend's already asked if I know of any job openings in the UK
. I actually think you're right though, in the end I don't think that many people will necessarily move. It's a very difficult thing to leave your home and family. And the reality is that day to day life probably won't even necessarily change that much for most people.
Edit: Where did you live in China by the way if you don't mind me asking? Fascinating country.