When Britain colonized Hong Kong, were Hong Kong people and British people equal?

How can the British treat Hong Kong people equally when the former colonies or British territories are occupied? Examples are as follows:

(1) At first, all senior officials and positions were held by British people, and then gradually opened up and improved.

(2) The treatment of British troops stationed in China is different from that of troops recruited locally.

(3) In the past, the mid-levels and peak areas of Hong Kong Island were places where foreigners lived. There were no China people at first, but then it changed.

and ......