The autonomy of Hong Kong was guaranteed in all areas apart from defence and foreign affairs. In July 2003, an estimated 500,000 Hong Kong people took to the streets. Although the protests paralysed central areas of Hong Kong for 77 days it eventually petered out without achieving any concessions. China and the UK are joint signatories to the Sino- British Joint Declaration which guarantees Hong Kong freedoms. John Cushnahan is a former MEP and European Parliament rapporteur for Hong Kong 1997-2004

Source: The Irish Times June 14, 2019 05:00 UTC