The secret negotiations that sealed hong kongs future

You're referring to the secret negotiations that led to the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China in 1997!

Yes, the negotiations were indeed secretive, and the details were only revealed later. Here's a brief overview:

Background: In the 1980s, the British government began to consider the future of Hong Kong, which was a British colony since 1842. The colony's lease was set to expire in 1997, and the British government was under pressure to negotiate a new arrangement with China, which had been claiming sovereignty over Hong Kong since the Opium Wars.

The Joint Declaration: In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which outlined the terms of the transfer of sovereignty. The declaration stated that Hong Kong would become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with a high degree of autonomy and a capitalist economy.

Secret negotiations: However, the details of the transfer were not publicly disclosed until much later. In 2019, the Hong Kong government released a batch of previously classified documents, which revealed the secret negotiations between British and Chinese officials.

Key points: The documents showed that the negotiations were marked by intense secrecy and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Some key points included:

1. The "One Country, Two Systems" formula: The British government was keen to ensure that Hong Kong maintained its autonomy and way of life, while the Chinese government wanted to assert its sovereignty over the territory. The "One Country, Two Systems" formula was born, which allowed Hong Kong to maintain its capitalist system and way of life, while China exercised sovereignty over the territory.
2. The "Basic Law": The British government and Chinese officials agreed to draft a new constitution for Hong Kong, known as the Basic Law. This law would serve as the constitutional framework for Hong Kong's government and institutions after the transfer of sovereignty.
3. The "Hong Kong Government": The British government and Chinese officials agreed to establish a new Hong Kong government, which would be responsible for governing the territory after the transfer of sovereignty. The government would be headed by a Chief Executive, who would be appointed by a selection committee.
4. The "Transition Period": The British government and Chinese officials agreed to a transition period of 50 years, during which Hong Kong would maintain its autonomy and way of life. After the transition period, China would exercise sovereignty over Hong Kong, but the territory would still maintain a high degree of autonomy.

Legacy: The secret negotiations that sealed Hong Kong's future have had a lasting impact on the territory's politics, economy, and society. While the transfer of sovereignty was marked by controversy and uncertainty, the "One Country, Two Systems" formula has allowed Hong Kong to maintain its unique identity and way of life, while also integrating with the rest of China.