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SCMP

This article was first published on December 20, 1984.
By Timothy Jim
A stroke of a pen and it’s all over
Hongkong entered a new era at 5.30 pm today.
With a stroke of the pen, the Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, officially endorsed the return of Hongkong to China — to take effect after 155 years of British rule over the territory.
Within six months, the agreement will take official effect and a joint liaison group will be formed to oversee the transfer of sovereignty on July 1, 1997.
Both Chinese and British leaders hailed today’s signing as a fresh example for the solution through peaceful negotiation of problems between nations that are left over from history.
Nearly all influential members of the Chinese Politburo attended the signing ceremony in the western main hall of the Great Hall of the People.
They included China’s top leader, Mr Deng Xiaoping, the Prime Minister, Mr Zhao Ziyang and President Li Xiannian as well as other key officials in the Foreign Ministry.
This was taken as a sign that Chinese leaders are staking their own credibility on the agreement.
The same rhetoric (that China would stake its reputation on the success of the agreement) has also been repeated time and time again by leaders at their meetings with Mrs. Thatcher.
Also taking part in the ceremony was the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe and other delegation members who took part in the negotiations with China.

In her speech, Mrs. Thatcher pledged the British Government will do all in its power to make the agreement a success.
“It will be our pride and our pleasure to administer Hongkong up to June 30, 1997, in accordance with the highest principles of British administration,” she said.
Mr Zhao also stressed that the one country, two systems concept for solving the Hongkong question was national policy and not an expedient measure.
The historic occasion also signifies the Anglo-Chinese relationship has turned a new chapter, he said.
With a strengthened relationship, the two nations announced they will attempt to increase exchanges in the fields of oil, coal and aerospace co-operation.
A high-level British trade and economic delegation will visit China early next year.
Mr Zhao has accepted a repeated invitation to visit the United Kingdom in the middle of next year.
The possibility of a visit by the Queen to China in early 1986 had also been discussed by Mr Zhao and Mrs Thatcher.

A festive mood was evident in Peking to celebrate what is termed by Mr Hu Yaobang as a “red-letter day” for the Chinese Government.
News of the signing was covered prominently on the evening news programme on Peking television.
In a tightly-packed schedule, Mrs Thatcher attended a red carpet welcome outside the Great Hall of the People in the morning; had a three-hour working session with Mr Zhao; a lunch date with President Li and two meetings — with Mr Hu and Mr Deng in the afternoon before signing the Hongkong agreement.
Her last official function was a national banquet in the Great Hall of the People.
Mr Deng told Mrs Thatcher the signing of the agreement has cleared a shadow over the question of Hongkong over the past 150 years.
He told Mrs Thatcher in a one hour “friendly, cordial and in depth” session that a bright future is ahead for the two countries.
Mr Zhao told Mrs Thatcher the basic law was expected to be promulgated no later than 1990.
It was also mentioned that the drafting of the basic law may begin with the third session of the sixth National People’s Congress (expected to be held around June.)
Mr Zhao expounded the subject further in a brief press conference in the evening when he said the drafting of the basic law would not start until the National People’s Congress approved the establishment of a Hongkong Special Administrative Region.
The press conference was attended by 100 British and Hongkong reporters.
Only eight questions were asked in the 15-minute press conference.
Responding to another question, Mr Zhao promised that while the basic law was being drafted, views of the people in Hongkong would be fully solicited.
Asked about possible reform of Hongkong’s Government structure during the transition, Mr Zhao replied that in principle he would like to see more and more Hongkong people play their role in local government.
“We hope that any reform of the Government restructure during the transition period will be conducive to Hongkong’s prosperity and stability and to the transfer of government.

“Mrs Thatcher and I touched on the question in our talks this morning and we have reached complete identity of views,” he added.
Answering another question, the Chinese Prime Minister said that this morning he had renewed China’s invitation to the Queen to visit China and Mrs Thatcher said the Queen had accepted the invitation.
Mr Zhao also said the chief executive of the Hongkong Special Administrative Region will be selected on the basis of election and consultation to be held locally and nominated by the Chinese Government.
Principal officers will be nominated by the chief executive and appointed by the Chinese Government.
Mr Zhao added that these will all be provided in the basic law.
In the evening, the banquet speeches went beyond the pronouncements the two Prime Ministers made a few hours earlier when they signed the joint declaration.
They dwelt not just on the resolution of the Hongkong question but also on the bright prospects of Anglo-Chinese co-operation in many areas.
They also touched on other international issues, particularly the arms race between the two superpowers and efforts to strive for peace throughout the world were repeatedly stressed.
Mr Zhao paid a tribute to Mrs Thatcher for her “outstanding statesmanship and her contribution to the success of the negotiations.”
Noting that world peace and security are being threatened, Mr Zhao said that in the face of this grave situation, it is encouraging that more and more countries are endeavouring to take their destiny into their own hands and making all possible efforts to stop the arms race, ease the tension and maintain world peace.


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Hong Kong’s return to China endorsed as Sino-British Joint Declaration is signed – from the SCMP archive

When a ferry crashed into a Hong Kong typhoon shelter, killing 3 – from the SCMP archive

From our archives

In Beijing, the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the Chinese Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang, sign the Sino-British Joint Declaration on December 19, 1984, while officials from both sides look on. Photo: SCMP

A crowd is formed outside an electronics retail shop to watch a live telecast of the Sino-British Joint Declaration signing ceremony on December 19, 1984. Photo: SCMP

The front page of the Post on December 20, 1984.

Stanley Ho Hung-sun, the Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, is returning from Beijing after witnessing the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Photo: SCMP

A Hong Kong-Macau Hydrofoil Company catamaran cruised at full speed into the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter on December 15, 1989. Photo: SCMP 

Clipping from the Post’s December 16, 1989 issue. Photo: SCMP

A catamaran ferry cruised at full speed into the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter on December 15, 1989. Photo: SCMP 

Hongkongers brace for disruption as CMB drivers go on strike in 1989 – from SCMP archive

Buses stopped at the North Point Ferry Pier bus terminal because of a strike staged by the drivers on November 29, 1989. Photo: SCMP

Traffic congestion on the Ap Lei Chau Bridge due to the strike. Photo: SCMP

Workers hung demonstration banners at the bus depot in North Point ahead of their strike. Photo: SCMP 

Bus drivers hold a meeting on November 28, 1989. Photo: SCMP

News

Hong Kong

World

China

In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Chinese counterpart Zhao Ziyang signed paper that paved way for Hong Kong’s return to China


In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Chinese counterpart Zhao Ziyang signed paper that paved way for Hong Kong’s return to China.


Hong Kong Basic Law

On This Day | Hong Kong’s return to China endorsed as Sino-British Joint Declaration is signed – from the SCMP archive

In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Chinese counterpart Zhao Ziyang signed paper that paved way for Hong Kong’s return to China

A stroke of a pen and it’s all over