The Future of Hong Kong: Not What It Used To Be

With the re-integration of Hong Kong into the People's Republic of China in June 1997, this Article provides an insightful review and analysis of the history of the "Hong Kong question" from the cession of Hong Kong island to the British Crown in 1842 to the territory's current status in 1997. This Article begins with an overview of Hong Kong's early colonial history, examining the acquisition and retention of Hong Kong by the British Government. This Article then continues with a detailed account of the treatment of Hong Kong, including the eventual decision to return Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, by both the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China during the post-War period from 1945 to 1997. Finally, with Hong Kong's re-integration in the near future, this Article concludes that the future of Hong Kong rests with the idea and success of "one country, two systems."