Conflicts in the Negotiations Between China and Britain on the Return of Hong Kong

Abstract

Hong Kong became a British colony in 1840. In the 1980s, the PRC government took the opportunity that Britain sent officials to sound out China’s attitude towards the Hong Kong issue to introduce “one country, two systems” policy. Because the British government, led by Margaret Thatcher, repeatedly made difficulties against China on treaty and sovereignty issues, the negotiation process was challenging. After three changes of attitude in negotiation, the British government gradually realized the tough position of the Chinese government and agreed to return Hong Kong’s sovereignty. However, Hong Kong has encountered the dramatically changing of world pattern over these 40 years. Anti-China movements in Hong Kong have colluded with overseas organizations, repeatedly set off riots and conflicts. Under such conflicts, the restoration of social order and economic development in Hong Kong need to re-examine the government organizations and policies within it, as well as the “one country, two systems”. This paper takes the Sino-British negotiations as the starting point, makes a detailed analysis of the game between the two sides in the negotiations. By relating them with the actual situation of Hong Kong society, especially the 2019 riots, the paper analyzes the Hong Kong problem and examines the roots of the ongoing conflicts in Hong Kong.