The fundamental reason behind Hong Kong's prolonged protests is no different from what is happening in the West – a loss of hope and optimism, resulting in a kind of nihilism. But the city's situation is being used as a stick for beating China, said Martin Jacques, senior fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge.

Jacques sees the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a big opportunity for Hong Kong. However, ever since Hong Kong's return to China, some in the city have been reluctant about having the special administrative region become more integrated with the southern Chinese economy, which is a big mistake, he said, adding that Hong Kong needs the Bay Area for economic stability.