On this day in 1984 – December 19 – British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang signed an agreement that committed Britain to return Hong Kong to China in 1997.

hong kong handover
A painitng by Ma Baozhong, “19 December, 1984” showing the signing in 1984 of the Sino-British Joing Declaration is seen in Hong Kong, 26 June 2007. Sotheby’s will hold an auction of reunification art to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover. Photo: Mike Clarke/AFP.
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