The fall of Hong Kong

On July 1, 1997, after 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong, the pearl in the crown of the British Empire and the tenth largest trading partner in the world, will come under the control of the People's Republic of China. Despite persistent assurances from both the Chinese and British governments, the citizens of Hong Kong have little reason for optimism about their future under Chinese rule. Did Britain obtain sufficient guarantees to protect her 5.6 million subjects in Hong Kong, or did she betray them to protect her business and diplomatic interests in the region? What does the future hold for Hong Kong's booming capitalist economy? These are the questions Roberti addresses in this provocative investigative report. Based on interviews with 150 men and women who played key roles in the secret negotiations, and on U.S. State Department documents made available for the first time under the Freedom of Information Act.^ The United Kingdom Government papers related to this period are withheld from public view until well into the 21st century under the United Kingdom's Thirty Year Rule. The Fall of Hong Kong uncovers the startling truth about the hand-over of power. In a compelling, fast-paced narrative, peppered with vivid portraits of the personalities involved, Roberti pierces the veil of secrecy shrouding the negotiations.^ Revealing political intrigue and diplomatic double-dealing in London, Hong Kong, and Beijing, Roberti explains how the British Foreign Office thwarted Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's efforts to introduce democratic elections to Hong Kong; how British negotiators allowed an unholy alliance of ultra-conservative Hong Kong businessmen and Beijing party officials to call the shots and kill any chance of meaningful democracy in Hong Kong; how the colonial government manipulated public opinion in Hong Kong in order to sway the vote in the British Parliament; and how Chinese security forces bugged the rooms of the drafters of the Hong Kong Basic Law. Filled with human drama, The Fall of Hong Kong also tells of the gallant efforts of people like lawyer Martin Lee and his army of workers and students who are risking everything in a fight against their political masters to secure a democratic future.^ A timely, hard hitting investigation into an impending crisis that has already begun to impact financial and business centers worldwide, The Fall of Hong Kong is a gripping tale of high-stakes diplomacy, political cabals, and the ongoing struggle of a people to save themselves from tyranny.