China`s Negotiation Strategy in Recovering Hong Kong

Abstract

This article focuses on Beijing`s negotiation strategy and its preparations regarding the conclusion of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The negotiation process is divided into several important stages, and a framework is offered for further research. The Chinese decision-making processes before the negotiations started were detailed and scientific. The decision to recover Hong Kong by 1997 was certainly influenced by nationalist considerations, and Chinese leaders were willing to pay the price. The ”one country, two systems” policy for Hong Kong demonstrated the Chinese leadership`s liberation in thinking at that time, and that it was ready to adopt a set of highly pragmatic guidelines to secure the confidence of the Hong Kong people and to maintain the territory`s stability and prosperity. In contrast, the British side did not have a good understanding of the situation in China. In particular, the British seriously neglected the impact of nationalism on the Chinese leadership and the Hong Kong people.