Hong Kong's handover: How the UK returned it to China
29 June 2017
On 1 July, Hong Kong marks the 20th anniversary of the handover from British rule back to China. Here is what you need to know: Britain first took over Hong Kong island in 1842, after defeating China in the First Opium War. After the Second Opium War, Beijing was forced to also cede Kowloon in 1860, the area on the mainland opposite the island. In 1898, to enforce its control of the area, the UK leased additional land, known as the New Territories, promising to return them to China in 99 years. Hong Kong developed rapidly under UK rule, becoming one of the world's major financial and business centres. Then in 1982, London and Beijing began the difficult process of negotiating the territory's return to Chinese rule. Hong Kong had developed a vastly different political and economic system from mainland China, which since 1949 had been under authoritarian one-party Communist rule. - Golden geese and democracy 'infections' - did predictions come true? China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for the next 50 years. Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region. This means it has: - its own legal system - multiple political parties - rights including freedom of assembly and free speech The territory has its own mini-constitution to enshrine these special rights. Called the Basic Law, it states that "the ultimate aim" is to elect the territory's leader, the chief executive, "by universal suffrage" and "in accordance with democratic procedures". The leader is the chief executive, elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the members of this committee are viewed as pro-Beijing. The parliament is the Legislative Council (LegCo). It is made up half of directly elected representatives and half by representatives chosen by professional or special interest groups. Political activists argue that the election process gives Beijing the ability to screen out any candidates it disapproves of. Pro-democracy activists have been campaigning for years for Hong Kong people to have the right to elect their own leader. In 2014, Beijing said it would allow direct election of the chief executive, but only from a list of pre-approved candidates. That lead to mass protests from people who wanted full direct democracy. The protests shut down central parts of the city for weeks. The move was later reversed. There are also a lot of people in Hong Kong who are concerned that China is increasingly meddling in Hong Kong politics in other ways, undermining more politically liberal traditions. So Hong Kong is increasingly divided into: - a pro-Beijing camp in favour of more political say for China's Communist Party - a pro-democracy camp that wants to strengthen Hong Kong's autonomy and unique identity The anniversary of the handover is usually also marked by large demonstrations from both camps of the political divide. That's the date after which mainland China is no longer obliged to grant the autonomy agreed on with Britain before the handover. While there are some who call for full independence, China has ruled out that option. The likely paths therefore will be: - China grants an extension of the current autonomy and the city's Basic Law - China will allow some of the current privileges but not all - Hong Kong will lose its special status and become a normal Chinese province with no autonomy With an increasingly politicised younger generation, most observers expect a tough political struggle over the city's future.
Britain first took over Hong Kong island in 1842, after defeating China in the First Opium War. After the Second Opium War, Beijing was forced to also cede Kowloon in 1860, the area on the mainland opposite the island. In 1898, to enforce its control of the area, the UK leased additional land, known as the New Territories, promising to return them to China in 99 years. Hong Kong developed rapidly under UK rule, becoming one of the world's major financial and business centres. Then in 1982, London and Beijing began the difficult process of negotiating the territory's return to Chinese rule. Hong Kong had developed a vastly different political and economic system from mainland China, which since 1949 had been under authoritarian one-party Communist rule.
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What led to the handover?
The leader is the chief executive, elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the members of this committee are viewed as pro-Beijing. The parliament is the Legislative Council (LegCo). It is made up half of directly elected representatives and half by representatives chosen by professional or special interest groups. Political activists argue that the election process gives Beijing the ability to screen out any candidates it disapproves of.
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How is Hong Kong ruled now?
Pro-democracy activists have been campaigning for years for Hong Kong people to have the right to elect their own leader. In 2014, Beijing said it would allow direct election of the chief executive, but only from a list of pre-approved candidates. That lead to mass protests from people who wanted full direct democracy. The protests shut down central parts of the city for weeks. The move was later reversed. There are also a lot of people in Hong Kong who are concerned that China is increasingly meddling in Hong Kong politics in other ways, undermining more politically liberal traditions. So Hong Kong is increasingly divided into: - a pro-Beijing camp in favour of more political say for China's Communist Party - a pro-democracy camp that wants to strengthen Hong Kong's autonomy and unique identity The anniversary of the handover is usually also marked by large demonstrations from both camps of the political divide.
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Why are there protests?
That's the date after which mainland China is no longer obliged to grant the autonomy agreed on with Britain before the handover. While there are some who call for full independence, China has ruled out that option. The likely paths therefore will be: - China grants an extension of the current autonomy and the city's Basic Law - China will allow some of the current privileges but not all - Hong Kong will lose its special status and become a normal Chinese province with no autonomy With an increasingly politicised younger generation, most observers expect a tough political struggle over the city's future.
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What will happen after 2047?