The UK Hong Kong Agreement: What You Need to Know
The UK and Hong Kong have a long-standing historical relationship dating back to the British colonisation of the territory in 1841. However, it wasn`t until 1984 that a formal agreement, known as the Sino-British Joint Declaration, was signed between China and the UK regarding Hong Kong`s future sovereignty.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration stated that Hong Kong would be returned to China on July 1, 1997, under the principle of “one country, two systems,” meaning that Hong Kong would have a high degree of autonomy and retain its capitalist economic system and way of life for 50 years.
To ensure the protection of Hong Kong`s autonomy, the UK and China signed the UK Hong Kong Agreement in 1985. The agreement was a legally binding document that outlined the responsibilities of both parties in ensuring the preservation of Hong Kong`s autonomy and freedoms.
The agreement covered a range of issues, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the appointment of the Chief Executive and other key officials, the status of British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders, and the protection of human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
One of the most significant aspects of the UK Hong Kong Agreement was the commitment to the protection of human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, including freedom of speech, the press, association, assembly, and religion. The agreement stated that these rights would be protected under Hong Kong`s Basic Law, the territory`s de facto constitution.
However, the recent political unrest in Hong Kong has called into question the protection of these rights and freedoms. The introduction of a controversial extradition bill in 2019 sparked widespread protests, which continued into 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK has been a vocal supporter of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson stating that the UK would honour its commitment to the people of Hong Kong and offer a path to citizenship to BNO passport holders.
The UK Hong Kong Agreement remains an important legal document that underpins the relationship between the UK, China, and Hong Kong. It has played a vital role in ensuring the protection of Hong Kong`s autonomy and freedoms, although recent events have highlighted the challenges in upholding these commitments.
As the 50-year anniversary of the handover approaches, it is unclear what the future holds for Hong Kong and its relationship with China. The UK has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and uphold its commitment to the people of Hong Kong under the terms of the UK Hong Kong Agreement.