Defining one country, two systemsHong Kong is a very special city. It has a very interesting history. In 1842, Hong Kong Island was ceded by China to Great Britain. In 1860, Hong Kong's Kowloon Peninsula was ceded to England. In 1898, the remainder of Hong Kong, the New Territories and 235 outlying islands were leased to England for 99 years. In the early 1980s, the British and Chinese governments began negotiating over the future of Hong Kong as the lease was due to expire on July 1, 1997. The Chinese leader, Deng XiaoPing, introduced the “One Country, Two System ”. The “one country, two system” was designed by China to give Hong Kong citizens the promise that communism would not prevail over capitalism in Hong Kong. In this way, China would gain the trust of Hong Kong citizens that conditions would be the same when Britain returned Hong Kong's sovereignty to China. British and Chinese representatives signed the British-Chinese Joint Declaration in 1984, authorizing the transition of Hong Kong's sovereignty at midnight on July 1, 1997. Hong Kong citizens were thrilled that Hong Kong would finally return to their motherland. China wanted to show the world that the “one country, two system” would be unique and successful so that China could attract Macao and Taiwan to return to China. In the early 1990s, the Basic Law was published to make the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” a legal procedure. The Basic Law stated that Hong Kong would become an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (1). China would allow Hong Kong to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy independent executive, legislative and judicial power (2). The executive and legislative authorities of Hong Kong will be composed of permanent residents of Hong Kong (3). Hong Kong residents would have their rights and freedoms (4). The socialist system and policies would not be practiced in Hong Kong, and the previous capitalist system and lifestyle would remain unchanged for 50 years (5). Hong Kong would protect the right of private ownership of property in accordance with the law (6). The laws previously in force in Hong Kong, common law, equitable rules, ordinances, subordinate legislation and customary laws, would be retained (8).