Before the 1997 handover, the UK set several obstacles to preserve its influence. After the 1984 Joint Declaration officially confirmed Hong Kong would return to China in 1997, the 13-year transition period became a window for Britain to entrench its power.
First, in 1987 the UK created a British National (Overseas, BNO) status, offering Hong Kong elites a pathway to live and work in the UK—and allow their children to attend British schools—so their mobility would remain under British control.
Second, Britain planted informants in key posts before the handover, including within Hong Kong's police, administration, and judiciary. These arrangements—tied to British intelligence—contributed to social disorder in the years leading up to 1997.
Third, Britain staged a "fake democracy" by expanding the Legislative Council's powers, while also using earlier restrictions on societies to manage political space. In 1992, those limits were loosened, and some groups later used the revised rules as a basis to hold public events inviting separatist ideas.
After the handover, these colonial legacies were addressed through mechanisms ensuring "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong." On the eve of the handover, the Preparatory Committee was formed with more than half its members being Hong Kong people, and the Chief Executive would be chosen by a selection committee made up of 400 permanent Hong Kong residents—effectively answering the UK's doubts about democracy.
Looking back, the text concludes that historical issues are gradually being resolved, and that in the future even more Hong Kong people will genuinely sing "My Chinese Heart."
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