Focusing on Hong Kong investment immigration and hearing Hong Kong stories: According to newly released Cabinet documents, 30 years ago, the British government believed that transferring sovereignty over Hong Kong to China would strengthen the UK's influence over China and increase its economic opportunities within the country.
According to reports, the late then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced in August 1984 that China and the UK had achieved a "breakthrough" in negotiations regarding the return of Hong Kong. At the time, she held an optimistic view of Sino-British relations.
In accordance with the regulations for British declassified records, these documents were released to the public in January 2014.
The documents reveal that the then-Foreign Secretary, Geoffrey Howe, told Mrs. Thatcher that the issue of Hong Kong was the most substantial and significant matter in China's negotiations with foreign governments, particularly those of the West.
The documents show that Howe told Mrs. Thatcher: "China's change in attitude toward the economy has brought about significant opportunities, especially for the UK. The UK can work closely with China during the transitional period of Hong Kong's return before 1997."
He further stated: "At a time when China's concerns regarding the Soviet Union linger and the Chinese government is reluctant to form too close a connection with the United States, the UK has an opportunity to influence the Chinese perspective on broader issues."
The declassified documents indicate that this could also provide the UK with significant economic and diplomatic opportunities.
Mrs. Thatcher concluded that because China expressed readiness to accept an agreement drafted "largely based on British proposals," the UK had earned China's trust on this issue. She believed this would generate significant opportunities for the UK in the future.