Opinion

Hong Kong’s ‘new chapter’ under John Lee calls for reflecting on tumultuous past

Tired of politics and the pandemic, people would welcome a fresh start, but we must acknowledge it has not been an easy journey since 1997

The changes of recent years, including introduction of the national security law and political reform, have created uncertainty about the future

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A journalist for more than 30 years, Cliff Buddle began his career as a court reporter in London and moved to Hong Kong in 1994 to join the SCMP.

Published: 9:15am, 1 Jul 2022

A popular Hong Kong tourist attraction in the 1970s and 80s was a trip to the Lok Ma Chau border. Visitors were taken to a hillside viewpoint where they could gaze in wonder at communist China across the river.

The idea of returning the freewheeling, capitalist British colony to a China still in the early stages of economic reform and opening up was challenging. To do so while maintaining Hong Kong’s way of life seemed like mission impossible.

But this was the deal struck in 1984. The Sino-British Joint Declaration provided for the city’s return after more than 150 years of colonial rule. The date for this handover was set for July 1, 1997. Today marks the 25th anniversary. President Xi Jinping will preside over the inauguration of a new government led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Lee has promised “a new chapter” for the city after three tough, transformative years. Months of civil unrest in 2019 were followed by a sweeping national security law and political reforms, ensuring the city is governed only by “patriots”.