If Hong Kong Were Ceded "in perpetuity"

There are proper, full-functioning and (AFAIK) cheap desalination complexes in Singapore. HK could model theirs out of that.

Is there a possibility of a co-occupation of HK by both Britain and China? Say HK, both the New Territories and the island itself, was to be British "in perpetuity". Now as Chinese power grows it is inevitable that the Chinese would prefer to remove the vestiges of western imperialism, but as there was never a time decided it would be hard for them to ask whenever. Thus they possibly decide upon a time when a referendum could be held, and until that time hold HK in joint occupation. The government and military is shared by both the Chinese and British, etc.
 
RousseauX didn't say anything about citizenship, instead he/she said that Hong Kongers couldn't move into the UK. You need to read the post more closely next time.

Ok... but RousseauX said "what are you talking about?" and then attempted to discredit and disprove my comments by talking about, as you said, that HKers couldn't move to the UK. I never said anything about moving to the UK, so I assumed it was about what she quoted from my statement- which was about nationality and citizenship. Therefore I defended, with prove, my point which was attacked. Which btw- Britain never attempted to stop immigration by British nationals or citizens from HK. Which included what the PRC claimed where Chinese citizens because the people were Chinese ethnically.
 

RousseauX

Donor
Ok... but RousseauX said "what are you talking about?" and then attempted to discredit and disprove my comments by talking about, as you said, that HKers couldn't move to the UK. I never said anything about moving to the UK, so I assumed it was about what she quoted from my statement- which was about nationality and citizenship. T

You were absolutely talking about moving to the UK

claim British citizenship and get consulate help after the handover or cause problems diplomatically or... worst of all- leave and move to the UK

herefore I defended, with prove, my point which was attacked. Which btw- Britain never attempted to stop immigration by British nationals or citizens from HK. Which included what the PRC claimed where Chinese citizens because the people were Chinese ethnically.
The key words here are of course, "British nationals", British nationality was granted to selectively few people (it was...what 3-4% of the entire HK population under the BNSS?) and generally granted to people who were already well off anyway or in the civil service. Basically people who could probably fulfill immigration criteria to the UK anyway.

What the UK was afraid of was a general refugee crisis from Hong Kong which would include lots of people they don't want over, so if you are the vast majority of the HK population no you don't get to go to the UK.
 

RousseauX

Donor
There are proper, full-functioning and (AFAIK) cheap desalination complexes in Singapore. HK could model theirs out of that.

desalination meets only 10% of Singapore's water demands, imported water from Malaysia is 40-50% I think. In the future though this might change since desalination technology probably gets better with time.

Is there a possibility of a co-occupation of HK by both Britain and China? Say HK, both the New Territories and the island itself, was to be British "in perpetuity". Now as Chinese power grows it is inevitable that the Chinese would prefer to remove the vestiges of western imperialism, but as there was never a time decided it would be hard for them to ask whenever. Thus they possibly decide upon a time when a referendum could be held, and until that time hold HK in joint occupation. The government and military is shared by both the Chinese and British, etc.
No, because among other things, they don't have to grant any concessions to the UK at all.
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
If we're talking about the 1980s and 1990s, if China simply decided to march in, I frankly don't see anyone stepping up to help the British. The NATO treaty wouldn't apply, since the aggression is not taking place in Europe or North America. And I don't see the United States being willing to fight China in order to keep Hong Kong British. There would even be a significant chunk of the British people who would call for giving the territory up without a fight.
 
Yes, Hong Kong island was British legally forever. It was Chinese bullying, and the British realizing that they couldn't win like they did in the Falklands against Argentina if a similar situation came about. Oh, and the US put pressure on the UK as well. Macau was going back, the New Territories and Kowloon were going back, HK would be standing alone. Now, one thing I would've liked to see in an AH is that the UK and Portugal say "treaty says we have to return it to China, but however, it doesn't say which GOVERNMENT" which is in accordance to the "One China PRINCIPLE" instead of the One China Policy; so they give their colonies over to the RoC. So now Taiwan takes possession of all of Hong Kong and Macau, what does the PRC do? Risk war with Taiwan and the USA, and most likely the UK and Japan (maybe even then some other states that have territorial disputes with PRC).

The British government recognized the PRC as the legitimate government back in 1950, so this gambit won't work...
 
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