Pro-democracy protesters and authorities have clashed in recent weeks in Hong Kong in what has proven to be a fiery summer in the territory.
– What has prompted the clashes?
The Hong Kong government put forward controversial extradition proposals that would have allowed some suspects to be sent to mainland China for trials.
This led to fears of Hong Kong’s independent legal system being bypassed, with people being pulled into China’s legal system – which can involve television confessions and a lack of judicial safeguards seen in Hong Kong and the UK.
What happened to the proposals?
The government suspended the planned legislation although protesters have pressed on with broader calls for it to be scrapped entirely along with demands for democratic reforms.
What is Britain’s interest in Hong Kong?
The city is a former British colony which was returned to China in 1997.
It was first ceded to the UK by China in 1842 after the first Opium War and further territory was added in 1898 – on a 99-year lease.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984 paved the way for the handover.
Why is Hong Kong not part of China’s legal system?
Hong Kong is designated as a special administrative region of China, which gives it a greater degree of autonomy.
The 1984 declaration also established the principle of one country and two systems and stated Hong Kong would enjoy a “high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs” and be “vested with executive, legislative and independent judicial power”.
Has this approach been respected by China?
The UK believes the declaration is a legally binding treaty although China has challenged its status, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying “Hong Kong affairs have become purely China’s internal affairs after July 1 1997”.
He also said the UK should not be “interfering” in Hong Kong.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here