Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong

In 1982, the governments of the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China (PRC) initiated talks regarding the sovereignty of Hong Kong, which led to the transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong. In light of the increasing openness of the PRC government and economic reforms on the mainland, the then British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, sought the PRC's agreement to a continued British presence in the territory. However, the PRC took a contrary position: not only did the PRC wish for the New Territories, on lease until 1997, to be placed under the PRC's jurisdiction, it also refused to recognise the "unfair and unequal" treaties under which Hong Kong Island and Kowloon had been ceded to Britain in perpetuity. Consequently, the PRC recognised only the British administration in Hong Kong, but not British sovereignty.

Related Topics:
1982 - United Kingdom - People's Republic of China - Sovereignty - Hong Kong - Margaret Thatcher - 1997 - "unfair and unequal" treaties - Hong Kong Island - Kowloon

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