An assessment of Hong Kong's political future

This thesis was a study on Hong Kong's political future. Alternatives which could be available to the colony by l997 were assessed. These options were: remaining a colony; being part of China; or becoming independent. Each of these scenarios was examined for its viability which was defined as the effectiveness with which Hong Kong could be administered on economic and political terms. The assessment of Hong Kong's possible futures was achieved through a detailed understanding of the contemporary economic and political environment of the colony. Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong had evolved to be a successful export economy. If the economic vitality of Hong Kong could be preserved under the colony and the independence scenarios, then both of these could be viable futures. Absorption by China would mean an end to Hong Kong's prosperity. From the perspective of Hong Kong as an entity, independence appeared to be the most desirable future because it could represent a thriving economy without being a colony.