Hong Kong has never really had much democratic process, in terms of direct elections, and universal suffrage. There are only some roles where this happens.
Hong Kong has a long history of protesting this, and of failed attempts of implementing more democratic process.
To say it was democratic under British rule is a reach.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_development_in_Ho...
I would need to know the definition of democracy you're using to fully appreciate the meaning of this comment.
I think it's pretty fundamental for democracy that as a member of society you have equal power to govern yourself as everyone else does.
What you describe is an Oligarchy. Specifically it seems close to a Geniocracy, Meritocracy, Noocracy or Technocracy. Those are all forms of Oligarchy, where only the "smart", "deserving", "wise", and "experts" get to rule.
And I totally understand the irony of what you're saying -- the downvotes only serve to show you have a point
Kudos to the CBC for still publishing these sorts of power-to-the-people style pieces