Hong Kong

The 1997 Agreement

United States President, Donald Trump, has announced that the U.S. will no longer see Hong Kong and China as separate entities on a number of major issues relating to U.S. and China relations including trade and extradition.

Since 1997, Hong Kong has operated under semi-autonomous rule. It has its own legal, political and economic systems, separate from mainland China. However, China still has control over both its defense and foreign relations. Hong Kong also enlists something called the Basic Law which allows for freedom of press and assembly and is recognized as a de facto constitution. When the former colony was handed over by Britain, China agreed to keep the one country, two systems framework until 2047, giving Hong Kong relative autonomy for at least 50 years. However, in light of President Trump’s statement late last week, this promise is now under threat. 

Xi Jinping, the leader of China’s Communist Party since 2012, has not made Hong Kong’s life easy despite the guaranteed semi-autonomy. In mainland China, Beijing has endeavored to enforce policies in order to end Hong Kong’s separate status by attempting to influence the education system and implement controversial security laws, each time causing mass uprising and protests. 

Words: Alice I’Anson 2020
Cover Image: Unknown

Just last year protests broke out amid concerns regarding a bill permitting extradition to China. These protests lasted for months and whilst many were peaceful, some turned violent with law enforcement using rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to deter the gatherings of alarmingly large crowds. 

Today, as China moves to exert greater control over Hong Kong, protesters flock to the streets once again.

Apart from trade and extradition laws, due to its special status, Hong Kong has also been spared tariffs that have only been reserved for China and have become a hallmark of President Trump’s trade war with Beijing. However, since his announcement, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has provided Congress with a report stating that Hong Kong will no longer be seen as autonomous from China. If this is to progress Hong Kong would have only been granted 23 years of their 50 years of promised semi-autonomy.