Handover of Hong Kong Handover of Hong Kong The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, commonly known as the handover of Hong Kong (or simply "the Handover", also "the Return" in mainland China) was the transition of control over the former British colony of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. The returned territory comprised Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which were respectively ceded to Britain in 1842 and 1860, as well as the New Territories, which were leased for 99 years from 1898. The transfer was arranged to coincide with the expiration
Hong Kong People's Association Hong Kong People's Association The Hong Kong People's Association () was a middle-class and professional oriented political organisation formed on 18 November 1984. Along with the Association for Democracy and Justice, it was established in response to the signage of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and then British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe's visit in April 1984. It was one of the many political groups formed during the Sino-British negotiations on the sovereignty of Hong Kong in the early 80s and demanded democratic reform during the transition period, the others being notably the Meeting Point and Hong Kong Affairs Society. It participated