On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was handed over to China in a historic agreement between the two countries. This agreement, known as the Hong Kong Basic Law, outlines the framework for the governance of Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty. But what does this agreement entail, and how has it affected Hong Kong’s autonomy in the years since its transfer of power?
Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is designated as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. This means that while Hong Kong operates under the sovereignty of China, it has a high degree of autonomy and its own legal system, economy, and way of life. The agreement guarantees that Hong Kong will remain a capitalist economy, with its own currency and independent judiciary. It also guarantees the protection of human rights and the freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
However, in recent years, there has been concern that the Chinese government has been seeking to exert more control over Hong Kong. In 2019, a controversial extradition bill sparked mass protests in Hong Kong, with many residents arguing that it threatened to erode the city’s autonomy and legal system. The bill was eventually withdrawn, but the protests continued, with demands for greater democratic freedoms and an investigation into police brutality.
The Chinese government has responded to these protests by cracking down on dissent in Hong Kong, passing a new national security law that grants the government greater powers to suppress protests and dissent, and arresting pro-democracy activists. This has prompted criticism from the international community and raised concerns about the future of Hong Kong’s autonomy.
In conclusion, the agreement between Hong Kong and China, as outlined in the Basic Law, guarantees a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong, while still ensuring that it operates under Chinese sovereignty. However, recent events have raised concerns about the erosion of this autonomy and the impact this may have on Hong Kong’s way of life and democratic freedoms.