Sino-British Joint Declaration

The Sino-British Joint Declaration, signed in 1984, was an agreement between China and the UK on the future of Hong Kong. It promised that Hong Kong would become a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997, maintaining its separate legal and economic systems under the principle of “one country, two systems” for 50 years. The treaty outlined Hong Kong’s continued autonomy and rights, including freedom of speech and legal independence, while China would handle foreign affairs and defense. It aimed to ensure a stable handover and maintain Hong Kong’s prosperity and way of life.