On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was officially returned to Chinese sovereignty, ending more than 150 years of British colonial rule. This event occurred in accordance with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong would operate under a “one country, two systems” principle, preserving its legal and economic systems for 50 years after the handover. The return of Hong Kong is a pivotal moment in the region’s history, symbolizing a significant shift in East Asian geopolitics and raising ongoing discussions about the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.
