With Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty, the last and the most visible sign of British colonial presence in China comes to an end. So does Western colonialism in Asia.

But what about colonialism practised by some Asian countries on their smaller and weakers Asian neighbours? China continues to hold on to Tibet like any colonial appendage.

Tibet and Hong Kong are two fundamentally different issues. Tibet was an independent sovereign nation which only became a part of China by the virtue of force of arms and by blatant military invasion. Hong Kong, on the other hand, legally constituted a part of China which a decaying Manchu China was forced to cede to a militarily superior imperial Britain.

But the reality today is that like Tibet, Hong Kong will be under Chinese control and what communist China does in Hong Kong would have an impact far beyond the shores of the former British crown colony.

Whether China's actions in Hong Kong will measure up to China's promises to the six million people of Hong Kong or whether China will do to Hong Kong what it has done to Tibet will be watched closely everywhere in the world.

If the Chinese leadership could demonstrate the necessary courage, vision and wisdom, it will undoubtedly open up better prospects for resolving outstanding problems like Tibet. Hong Kong will be a litmus test for the leadership's willingness and ability to allow effective devolution of power.