National and International Interests in the Decolonisation of Hong Kong, 1946–97

Abstract

The decolonisation of Hong Kong is a unique event in the surrender of territory acquired during the age of imperialism. The reasons for its being unique are several. First, it is the last British colony of any significance constitutionally to sever the link with Britain. As such, despite its limited size and small population, it is arguably, economically the most successful in the history of Britain’s imperial possessions. In the 1970s, it was a relatively insignificant outpost of a declining world power, of national interest almost exclusively to Britain and China. It became in every respect save for the exercise of sovereignty and the right to self-determination, a city-state the continuity of which was an issue of international interest. From the 1980s onwards, it was to develop a symbiotic relationship with Southern China based on investment, management and export services, and outward processing agreements, enhancing both national and international interests in its future.KeywordsEuropean UnionNational InterestInternational InterestMunicipal CouncilDirect ElectionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.