It was in December of 1984 that the Sino-British Joint Declaration Agreement was signed by both the People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom, sealing the fate of Hong Kong residents by returning the British Colony to Mainland control in 1997. Between 1984 and 1989, there was a strong air of uncertainty over what would become of Hong Kong after the Handover, with mixed feelings on how well the Chinese government would administer the promised 'one country, two systems'. Of course, everything changed in 1989, with the Tiannamen Square massacre on June 5th. The Chinese government demonstrated to the world that its iron-fist policies were still in place, and this further eroded the confidence of Hong Kong residents in what was to become of their home. There won't be another Fleur in this age.
Fate is unkind to women.
I envy her. Like most things, it won't last. That's for sure. However, there were still a few films that espoused a much more optimistic attitude towards the impending Handover. Throughout the film, Fleur desperately clings to her past, despite the obvious signs around her that the rest of the world has moved on.