On this day - 19 December
Historical items of interest as featured in the papers of the day.
Treaty signed for Hong Kong to revert to Chinese control in 1997
Daily Express 19/12/1984
On December 19th 1984 Margaret Thatcher, in her role as Prime Minister of the UK, signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration. This was a treaty that allowed the Chinese to retake sovereignty of Hong Kong from July 1st 1997 onwards.
Hong Kong had been under British rule from 1841. The British obtained a 99 year lease in 1898 which expired in 1997 on the day of the exchange.
Want to read more about this event and numerous other events from history? A subscription allows you unlimited access to continue reading and to view pages in greater detail. Log in and look at our online shop for prices.
Check back every day to see a different event from history highlighted.