ABSTRACT
The agreement with Britain in 1984 and the enactment of the Basic Law have spelt out, in considerable detail, the various dimensions of Hong Kong’s way of life that are to be preserved and the system of government by which the projected ‘high degree of autonomy’ is to be exercised. The restoration of Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997 has been presented by China’s leaders as a momentous event in the modern history of their country. The nationalist mood is likely to prevail for some time as it serves the interests of the new collective leadership and, paradoxically, the more centrifugal forces who do not wish to appear as destroyers of national unity. Beijing has additionally warned against the ‘internationalisation’ of the city. The Chinese side has not only been alert to alleged infringements of Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong by foreign governments, but it has also taken steps to limit the foreign political links of Hong Kong people.
