In 1997, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty after over 150 years of British rule. This historic event was the culmination of years of negotiations and agreements between the United Kingdom and China, known as the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed in 1984, and it outlined the terms for the return of Hong Kong to China. The agreement established that, following the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong would become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with a high degree of autonomy in its government, economy, and legal system.
Under this agreement, Hong Kong was granted a “one country, two systems” policy, which allowed it to maintain its own legal and economic systems, separate from those of mainland China. Hong Kong also retained its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar, and continued to operate as a global financial center.
The Basic Law of Hong Kong, which came into effect on July 1, 1997, serves as the governing document for the territory. It states that Hong Kong shall have a “high degree of autonomy” and that its “previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.”
However, in recent years, there has been concern that China has been increasingly encroaching on Hong Kong’s autonomy, particularly with the passing of a controversial national security law in 2020. Many in Hong Kong fear that their freedoms and way of life are being eroded, leading to widespread protests and unrest.
While the Sino-British Joint Declaration remains in effect, the future of Hong Kong’s autonomy and relationship with China remains uncertain. It is up to both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to uphold the terms of the agreement and ensure the continued protection of Hong Kong’s autonomy and way of life.
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