《中英香港问题谈判始末》

For those aspiring to a professional role in U.S.-China relations, it is incumbent to think broader and learn about China’s other relationships and negotiations. As Rudyard Kipling rhetorically asked, “And what should they know of England who only England know?” 《中英香港问题谈判始末》 begins the story of talks between London and Beijing over Hong Kong and its return to the mainland in 1997. With interviews from the Chinese participants—-such as Deng Xiaoping’s translator and director of the Hong Kong-Macao Affairs Office—-the first part of the series addresses Hong Kong’s history in the 20th Century, including British negotiations with Chiang Kai-Shek (Jiang Jieshi) and the opening of UK-China talks in 1979. With Hong Kong back in the news because of journalist intimidation and democratic activists Martin Lee and Anson Chan touring the United States, this documentary offers much needed perspective for Americans on China’s interactions with the world at large.

For additional background reading:

“The Cold War Rages in Hong Kong as Democracy Advocates Ask for U.S. Support,” Washington Post, April 7, 2014 

“Democracy in Hong Kong Was Never Britain’s Concern, Pre and Post 1997,” South China Morning Post, February 3, 2014 Hong Kong-related articles on the University of Nottingham’s China Policy Institute Blog