Hong Kong's Brexit ambitions: Could city ever be independent from China?

Hong Kong (CNN)Hong Kong has its own legal system, government, currency, flag and Olympic sports team. So could the city -- officially a Special Administrative Region of China -- ever become fully independent? That's what an increasing number of people, frustrated by a stalled political reform process and perceived Chinese encroachment, are asking. The city's leaders, and Beijing, have dismissed the calls out of hand -- with some commentators even suggesting discussion of independence could be a criminal offense. But in the wake of the UK's shock vote to leave the European Union and the increasing likelihood that Scotland and Catalonia will break away in the near future, is it so crazy to...