The Official Mind of British Post-Imperialism: Influencing Parliamentary Opinions during the Anglo-Chinese Negotiations on the Future of Hong Kong, 1982-84

Abstract

Based on newly declassified archival sources, the author argues that parliamentary approval was a major British negotiation strategy during negotiations over the future of Hong Kong. British diplomats insisted to their Chinese counterparts that any agreement on the Future of Hong Kong be subject to parliamentary approval, though such pre-condition was a political and not a legal one. The role of Parliament was manipulated domestically to avoid public scrutiny. Through a series of briefings, the FCO discouraged parliamentarians from discussing or raising questions about the future of Hong Kong for fear of damaging confidence. The approval of Hongkongers, the majority of whom wanted to remain part of the British Empire was originally a prerequisite for the joint agreement. This condition was dropped in the later stages of negotiations when Hongkongers’ wishes became unattainable in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s threat to take unilateral action on Hong Kong, and Ministers even openly discredited voices from Hong Kong. Eventually, Parliament approved the Joint Declaration on the basis of an unsound and tokenistic consultation of the opinion of Hongkongers. In an examination of the official mind in the post-imperial epoch, this paper offers new perspectives on the role of Parliament in British foreign affairs.