They might be, however, China's President Xi has already mentioned some years ago that he wants China to become a leader on different internet technologies including blockchain. Hong Kong might only be the beginning and to test different regulations and observe what they can use in IT economic zones of Shanghai.
This news was published on 2019.
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, said the country needs to “seize the opportunity” afforded by blockchain technology.
Speaking as part of the 18th collective study of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on Thursday in Beijing, Xi said blockchain technology has a wide array of applications within China, listing topics ranging from financing businesses to mass transit and poverty alleviation.
Source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2019/10/25/president-xi-says-china-should-seize-opportunity-to-adopt-blockchain/