The 12 clauses of the declaration and the public opinion in Hong Kong that followed its creation.
Signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984. Zhao Ziyang on the right and Margaret Thatcher on the left
1st - 6th Clauses of the Declaration
The Sino-British Joint Declaration is what laid the foundation of current mainland China vs. Hong Kong social and economic dynamics. In particular, there are twelve clauses that formed impactful and concrete stipulations that are still in enforcement today. The 1st statement employs responsibility to the People’s Republic of China to establish and legitimize a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with the intent of that body exercising sovereignty over Hong Kong. Following, the 2nd statement grounds sovereignty in autonomy for decision making powers, excluding those concerning foreign affairs or national defense. Instead, the 3rd stipulated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative powers will be vested in its internal judiciary processes. Most likely the most important statement, the 4th decrees that the Special Administration must be made up of local inhabitants. The 5th statement honors Hong Kong’s democratic institutions that were inherited from the British by guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and other. The sixth statement provides that Hong Kong’s ports and customs will remain independent and free.
"The Sino-British Joint Declaration is what laid the foundation of current mainland China vs. Hong Kong social and economic dynamics. In particular, there are twelve clauses that formed impactful and concrete stipulations that are still in enforcement today."
7th - 12th Clauses of the Declaration
The 7th statement is related to maintaining Hong Kong’s global financial position that there will be freedom for Hong Kong to own their rights on currency and translation. The 8th statement is that the Hong Kong government has independence from the fiscal system and taxation. The 9th statement reinforces Hong Kong’s economic relationship with other countries and is protected based on the capitalist structure. The following statement is very similar to the prior one, concluding that Hong Kong can work independently on cultural and economic aspects. Also, it indicates that Hong Kong can issue travel documents and visas. The 11th mentions that the Hong Kong government manages public security, which PRC will not interfere with. The last statement is the most important one that points out the 50 years promise. Everything on the treaty will be reflected and explained further in the Basic Law and kept 50 years unchanged.
Public Opinion
There was a poll in 1982 about people’s opinions on Hong Kong’s future. In terms of hope, 70% of Hong Kong people in March 1982 wanted Hong Kong to maintain the status quo, 15% wanted it to become a "trust territory", and 4% wanted China to take back Hong Kong. With the phenomenon of vast immigration to other countries, we can find that most people before 1997 did not wish Hong Kong’s sovereignty to be transferred to PRC. However, many people realize that the odds are that the handover will happen.
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