> wasn't the governor of Hong Kong just appointed by the English monarch
In the same way Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand’s prime ministers serve at the King’s pleasure. It’s ceremonial, much like the monarchy itself.
> elections where "Hong Kong’s chief executive be drawn from candidates vetted by Beijing" actually seems closer to self determination
They had a full democracy after 1997. That was self determination.
In the same way Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand’s prime ministers serve at the King’s pleasure. It’s ceremonial, much like the monarchy itself.
> elections where "Hong Kong’s chief executive be drawn from candidates vetted by Beijing" actually seems closer to self determination
They had a full democracy after 1997. That was self determination.