Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

In the summer of 1982, Hong Kong’s political future had arrived at a crossroad. The 99-years lease of the New Territories led to the diplomatic visit of the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Beijing and unfolded the Sino-British talks over Hong Kong’s future. With the aim to extend British rule after 1997, the Thatcher government attempted to convince the Chinese leadership that a continued British administration in Hong Kong was vital to Hong Kong’s economic prosperity and stability. Nevertheless, after several rounds of exchanges with the Chinese, the British policymakers had soon realized that it would be impossible to continue the British presence in Hong Kong after 1997. Apart from the direct engagement with Deng Xiaoping, the Thatcher government also attempted to rely on her diplomatic network to persuade the Chinese government to indoctrinate the British vision of “One Country Two Systems”. Through the declassified files from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office between 1982 and 1983, this article attempts to re-examine the origins of China’s “One County Two Systems” formula and to discuss the British attempts of socializing the leadership of the People’s Republic of China during the 1980’s through its diplomatic network across regions. With reference to constructivist tradition of international relations, this paper highlights the potential of the transnational diplomatic network which could shape and reshape the international norms and agenda, with independent effects to foster incremental change of the national policy preference.