So the NP20 is a HKP7 knockoff?

No. NP 20 is an export version of Chinese Type 77 pistol. So called NP 22 is a mountain village edition of Sig 226. I heard rumor saying those guns are popular in Canada.

Type 77 was once a popular sidearm within the guards of Chinese Central Security Bureau (中央警卫局) in 1980s. The export edition was actually redesigned.

That must have been an early one. One well known 1911 guru named Travis, whose nickname is "1911Tuner", has many good things to say about Norinco 1911's. Consider that they have a forged frame, and most 1911's with forged frames cost a good deal more.
Thanks to clinton we can't get them anymore. I have some medium priced 1911's that have MIM parts in them, I believe the Norks don't.
If Norinco made them, and got past early sales quality I believe we would see some desirable Lugers, I'd go nuts for a .45 ACP P-08!

"I bought a Norinco SKS back in the late 80's and this is a very reliable rifle."

Well, I know this is not an SKS Forum; however, it's worth being aware that many Chinese made SKS carbines had their barrels fastened in the receiver with a pin. In other words, they were not threaded into their recievers as were their Russian made counterparts.