The treaty between Great Britain and China that ended British rule in Hong Kong was the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Signed on December 19, 1984, this historic agreement outlined the terms for the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from Britain to China. The handover took place on July 1, 1997, marking the end of over 150 years of British colonial rule in the region.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries and was hailed as a model for peaceful decolonization. Under the terms of the agreement, Hong Kong was to become a Special Administrative Region of China, with a high degree of autonomy and its own legal and economic systems. This arrangement, known as "one country, two systems," was intended to preserve Hong Kong's unique identity and way of life.

The Joint Declaration also guaranteed that Hong Kong's capitalist system and way of life would remain unchanged for at least 50 years after the handover. This commitment was enshrined in the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, which was adopted in 1990. The Basic Law outlines the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and establishes the framework for the region's governance under Chinese sovereignty.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration was a significant milestone in the history of Hong Kong and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the region. While the handover was met with mixed emotions by the people of Hong Kong, it ultimately paved the way for the city to thrive as a global financial and cultural hub.

For more information on the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the handover of Hong Kong, you can visit the official website of the Hong Kong government at www.gov.hk/en/residents/. Additionally, the British National Archives website offers a wealth of historical documents related to the treaty and its implications at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/.

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