1997-+Hong+Kongg5

=Reversion of Honk Kong to the People's Republic of China = 

Overview
Hong Kong was acquired by the UK from three separate treaties. They were the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, the Treaty of Beijing in 1860, and The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory in 1898. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was given to the United Kingdom. The New Territories was a 99-year lease by the United Kingdom. They realized in 1997, that they coulnd't give some territory back and not all of it. The New Territories were being developed with large industry and other things so the New Territories became important for Hong Kong's economy.

Central Issue [[image:hk.jpg width="150" height="113" align="right" caption="Celebration at the signing"]]
In 1982, Chung Sze Yuen presented the position on the sovereignty of Hong Kong to Margaret Thatcher the British Prime Minister, asking her to think about the natives of Hong Kong population in her visit to China. The two governments talked about the sovereignty of Hong Kong. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wanted to keep British presence in Hong Kong, but the People's Republic of China didn't want them there. After long negotiations, the British finally agreed to give Hong Kong back to the People's Republic of China. The Prime Ministers of the People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom signed the Sino British Declaration on December 19, 1984. The Declaration said that the British would have to give up control of Hong Kong by July 1, 1997. It also had some of the basic policies for Hong Kong from the People's Rupublic of China.

Conclusion
The United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China agreed on the "One Country Two Systems" policies. This stated that Hong Kong would keep its capitalist economy for at least 50 years before changing to socialism, which the People's Republis of China used. Hong Kong Basic Law ruled Hong Kong. They had a ceremony of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on December 19, 1984 at the Western Main Chamber of the Great Hall of the People.


