Though those Territories did not include all of Hong Kong, the ending of the lease gave more force to long-time Chinese demands for the return of all occupied areas. Negotiations began between the British and Chinese Communist government in 1982. After two years, an agreement was reached that Hong Kong and the New Territories would be handed over to China on July 1, 1997. Thus the ceremonies, watched by watched by some 20 million people around the world, that took place on the days around the turnover. At that point Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region under the central Chinese government.
Nobody knows what's going to happen.
If there are people in your school or community from China or Hong Kong, ask them about their feelings concerning the takeover. Otherwise, try to find a Chinese pen pal with whom you can discuss these developments that so directly affect the lives of millions of people. You might try contacting the Chinese Students Organizations at Northwestern University or the California Institute of Technology . Meanwhile, use the Web sites below to follow the progress of Hong Kong under Chinese rule.