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Updated January 6, 2020
Hong Kong: Recent Developments and U.S. Relations
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR,
or Hong Kong) is a city located off the southern coast of
Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China (PRC or
China). More than 90% of Hong Kong's population is
ethnically Chinese. The first language of the vast majority
is Cantonese, a variety of Chinese different from what is
spoken in most of China. In part because of its different
language and long history as a British colony (1842 to
1997), the people of Hong Kong (Hong Kongers) have a
cultural and social identity distinct from that of Mainland
China (Mainlanders). This includes a legacy of laissez-
faire economics and a common law legal system adopted
from the British legal system, along with a passionate
support for universal human rights.
After more than two decades under Chinese sovereignty,
many Hong Kongers see this legacy being eroded by
China's interference in the governance of Hong Kong. For
critics of Chinese rule, the erosion of Hong Kong's political
and economic autonomy, civil liberties, and rule of law
threaten to undermine the city's economic prosperity and
distinctive culture. Supporters of China's policies in Hong
Kong view recent developments as forging closer ties with
mainland China and generally benefiting the people of
Hong Kong. The differing views of China's relationship
with Hong Kong has led to a polarization of political views
among Hong Kong residents.
In June 2019, discontent over proposed amendments to
local extradition ordinances gave rise to widespread
protests that have led to sometimes violent confrontations
between the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and some
demonstrators (see CRS In Focus IF11295, Hong Kong's
Protests of2019). Demonstrations have been held every
week since June 2019, and have continued into 2020.
During its time as a British colony, Hong Kong grew from a
small fishing community into one of the world's largest
international trade and financial centers. Much of that
growth is attributed to the laissez-faire economic policies
adopted by the colony's relatively autonomous governors,
and the entrepreneurial skills of the local Hong Kong
business community.
On July 1, 1997, sovereignty over Hong Kong reverted to
China under the provisions of an international treaty
known as the Joint Declaration negotiated between
China and the United Kingdom in 1984. The residents of
Hong Kong were afforded no direct role in the negotiations
of the Joint Declaration that would determine their future.
Under the terms of the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong is to
enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and
defence affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central
People's Government [the PRC government].
To fulfill a Joint Declaration provision, China's National
People's Congress passed the Basic Law of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the
People's Republic of China (Basic Law) on April 4, 1990.
The Basic Law established an executive-led government,
headed by a Chief Executive, a local legislature, the
Legislative Council (Legco), and an independent judiciary,
including a separate Court of Final Appeal. The Basic Law
also states that the ultimate aim is to select the Chief
Executive and all Legco members by universal suffrage.
Hong Kong at a Glance
Population (2018): 7.49 million (including 85,000 u.s.
citizens)
Area: 1,082 square kilometers (418 square miles)
Per Capita GDP (2018): HK$381,544 (US$48916)
Life Expectancy (at birth, 2018): Men 82.3 years;
Women-87.7 years
Leadership: Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor
Source: Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department
The Basic Law also states that the HKSAR shall enjoy a
high degree of autonomy and come directly under the
Central People's Government, and that [t]he socialist
system and policies shall not be practised in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, and the previous capitalist
system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50
years (through June 30, 2047). This arrangement is
frequently referred to as one country, two systems.
UtS. Rek,,tions wkt1h, Hong K(ong
U.S. relations with Hong Kong are governed by the United
States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (USHKPA; P.L. 102-
383), which commits the United States to treating the
HKSAR as separate from the rest of China in a variety of
political, economic, trade, and other areas so long as the
HKSAR remains sufficiently autonomous. The act also
states, Support for democratization is a fundamental
principle of United States foreign policy. As such, it
naturally applies to United States policy toward Hong
Kong. This will remain equally true after June 30, 1997.
In 2019, Congress passed three new laws pertaining to U.S.
policy toward Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Human Rights
and Democracy Act of 2019 (HKHRDA; P.L. 116-76)
amends the USHKPA to require the Secretary of State
provide an annual certification to Congress that Hong Kong
remains sufficiently autonomous to warrant separate
treatment from China, and to protect the ability of Hong
Kong protesters to obtain U.S. visas. The HKHRDA also
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