In 1997, Hong Kong was supposed to be given back to China from the UK. However, as we all know, that didn't happen. The Prime Minister said that it was something about the China they made the agreement with no longer existing when the transition was meant to happen. They made the agreement with the Qing Dynasty, not the People's Republic. After a series of squabbles that surprisingly didn't escalate into war (thank God), Hong Kong was granted a status as an independent city-state, on the lines of Singapore or Monaco. Like those two countries, Hong Kong is densely packed, constantly reclaiming land from the sea, enjoys a high standard of living, and is among the richest countries in the world, and is a stark contrast to the increasingly overpopulated, polluted, authoritarian, communist PRC. Its sister city-state Macau has a similar story and is very similar to Hong Kong. However, what do you think would've happened to the cities, China, and the world at large if they were returned to China as originally intended? Personally, it probably wouldn't have been pretty, but what do you think?