Theme 1 Topic 1 Part A: Brief Introduction to the Origin of the Question of Hong Kong

Question 1

What are the reasons for Hong Kong has been part of the territory of China since ancient times?

Answer 1

a. Local administrative region of China: Since the Qin Dynasty, Hong Kong has been under the jurisdiction of the central authorities of the successive dynasties.

b. Deep ethnic and cultural root: Hong Kong has strong ethnic and cultural connection with China. Hong Kong residents follow the customs of South China. They are in the same line with traditional culture.

Question 2

What are the background and consequences of the Treaty of Nan King?

Answer 2

Background
- British trade deficit with China and smuggling of opium into China by British merchants
- The destruction of opium at Humen by Lin Zexu
- Outbreak of the First Opium War and defeat of the Qing government in 1842

Consequences:
- Cession of Hong Kong Island to Britain
- Opening up of 5 coastal cities to Britain

Question 3

What are the background and consequences of the Convention of Pking?

Answer 3

Background:
- British interest in opening up more Chinese ports to expand trade and ensuring the military safety of Victoria Harbour
- Arrow Incident and the killing of a French missionary in Guangxi
- Outbreak of the Second Opium War in 1856 and defeat of the Qing Government in 1860

Consequences:
- Cession of the Kowloon Peninsula south of Boundary Street (including Stonecutters Island) to Britain

Question 4

What are the background and consequences of The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory

Answer 4

Background:
- Defeat of the Qing Government in the Sino-Japanese War and the scramble for concessions in China in 1898

Consequences:
- Lease of the are south of the Shenzhen River and north of Boundary Street and the surrounding 235 islands to Britain without rent for 99 years until 30 June 1997

Question 5

What are the nature of unequal treaties?

Answer 5

• The treaty is concluded as a consequence of coercion (i.e. one or more parties pressurize and force the other party to sign the treaty)
• The negotiating countries have unequal bargaining power
• The terms of the treaty reflect an unequal relationship of rights and obligations (the terms are not reciprocal)
• The treaty clearly violates the territorial and sovereignty rights of a country

Question 6

What did the United Nations established in the 1960s to aid colonies in gaining the right to self-determination of independence?

Answer 6

The Special Committee on Decolonization.

Question 7

Who signed unequal treaties with Britain, hence Britain took over Hong Kong?

Answer 7

The Qing Government

Question 8

When did the Qing Government fell?

Answer 8

1911

Question 9

Hong Kong has been part of the territory of China since ancient times: China has _________ over Hong Kong

Answer 9

Sovereignty

Question 10

Even though Hong Kong was occupied by Britain after the Opium War, it is still part of the _______________________________

Answer 10

Territory of China

Question 11

1971, The United Nations General Assembly voted to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China the ______________________________________________________ to the United Nations

Answer 11

only legitimate representatives of China

Question 12

Resolving the question of Hong Kong is a matter within ______________________

Answer 12

China’s Sovereignty.

i.e. Hong Kong does not have colonial status.

Hong Kong does not have the position to independence or self-determination.

Question 13

When and how to recover the territory of Hong Kong occupied by Britain and resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in order to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, were determined by ________ autonomously.

Answer 13

China

Question 14

1982, Deng put forward the concept “_________________________________” to realise the peaceful reunification of China

Answer 14

One country, two systems

Question 15

“One country, two systems” became the __________________________ to handle the questions of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan

Answer 15

basic state policy

Question 16

Under the premise of one China, the Mainland adheres to the ___________________________________ while Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan continue to implement their _______________________________.

Answer 16

socialist system, capitalist system

Question 17

“One country, two systems” concept was incorporated into the Constitution _________________

Answer 17

Article 31

Question 18

The Constitution provides the ________________________________ for the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Adminitrative Region of the People’s republic of China and the legal basis for the enactment of the Basic Law

Answer 18

constitutional basis

Question 19

Britain believed that the three treaties were ________ and many ammendment made hsould be based on them.

Answer 19

Valid

Question 20

Britain believed only British administration could ensure the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Proposed “____________________________________”. Britain would recognise Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong in exchange for China’s formal agreement to allow British administration to ramin in place in Hong Kong

Answer 20

exchanging sovereignty for administration

Question 21

For China, they believe the prosperity of Hong Kong depended on the implementation of __________________________ under the jurisdication of China

Answer 21

suitable policies

Question 22

19 December 1984, the Chinese and British Governments signed the ______________________________________________________ at the Great hal of the People

Answer 22

Sino-British Joint Declaration

Question 23

The Government of the People’s Republic of China would resume the ___________________________________________ with effect from 1 July 1997

Answer 23

exercise of covereignty over Hong Kong

Question 24

A __________________________________________ would be established based on the principle of “one country two systems”, and the existing systems should be remain unchanged for 50 years.

Answer 24

Special Administrative Region

Question 25

What is the Basic Law?

Answer 25

The constitutional document of the HKSAR explaining the systems to be practised in the HKSAR to ensure the implementation of the basic policies of the People’s Republic of China regarding Hong Kong, including “One country two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and “a high degree of autonomy”.

Question 26

What is the drafting process of the Basic Law?

Answer 26

1985 Basic Law consultative Committee was formed
(1988-1989: Two rounds of consultation to collect suggestions from different sectors of Hong Kong society)
1985 Basic Law Drafting Committee established by the National People’s Committee (23 members were Hong Kong Residents)
Feb 1990: Completion of drating work of the Basic Law by the Drafting Committee
4 April 1990: The Basic Law was promulgated by the National People’s Congress

Question 27

Jan 1996 Establishment of the ______________________________ for the HKSAR to carry out preparatory work for the establishment of the HKSAR, including the formation of the Selection Committee, which is responsible for selecting the first Chief Executive and forming the Provisional Legislative Council

Answer 27

Preparatory Committee

Question 28

1 July 1997 China officially resumed its exercise of ___________ over Hong Kong. The national flag of the People’s Republic of China and the regional flag of the HKSAR were raised.

Answer 28

Sovereignty

Question 29

What are the significances of Hong Kong’s return to China?

Answer 29

• Resolving the question of Hong Kong and safeguarded the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China
• Maintaining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability
• Setting an example for resolving the questions of Macao and Taiwan and facilitates China’s peaceful unification