Chapter 298
Chapter 298
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Hong Kong Handover Agreement
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“Isn’t Hong Kong a British territory permanently ceded to Britain by China?”
Some people might think that way, but it’s a mistaken notion.
Hong Kong Island itself had been permanently ceded to Britain, but the Kowloon Peninsula—which supported the infrastructure of the entire Hong Kong region—had been leased for 99 years.
Under international law, the Kowloon Peninsula was due to be returned in 1997.
What if, by some chance, the Kowloon Peninsula were returned to China?
Hong Kong Island’s infrastructure couldn’t be maintained.
They had to either keep Hong Kong intact or hand it back in one piece—those were the only two options.
“But is that such a big deal?”
In truth, Britain didn’t care much about the issue.
“Under international law, the Kowloon Peninsula is territory leased from the Qing Dynasty. So by current standards, the party it’s to be returned to no longer exists. Why on earth should we return it to the Republic of China?”
Even if Britain took that stance, Chongqing couldn’t exactly make a fuss about it.
No matter that Britain was no longer the old colonial empire, it was still a great power vying for fourth or fifth place in the world.
The Republic of China, which couldn’t even claim regional power status, wasn’t in a league to tangle with them.
Who would bring up the Hong Kong issue in such a situation?
“That’s why we need to step in.”
Lee Sung-jun planned to use the Hong Kong handover as a trigger to poke at the Gibraltar handover issue once more.
Of course, there were deeper motives hidden beneath the surface.
Korea began a propaganda campaign across the Sinosphere with these shady intentions in mind.
The main stage for the propaganda was Nanjing.
“There are two places on the mainland today where Chinese people cannot govern themselves: Macau and Hong Kong. Can’t we reclaim these territories permanently? Actually, we can. In the case of Hong Kong, it can be returned in 1997 when the 99-year lease expires.”
“But what is Chongqing doing, just sitting there? If Britain shows no sign of negotiation, shouldn’t they at least lodge a protest?”
The message spread by Korea passed through the mouths of refugees in Nanjing and spread like wildfire across the Republic of China.
“What they’re saying in Nanjing is right. Hong Kong is territory we can reclaim under international law—why are they just sitting idle?”
To the people of the Republic of China, who had lost land time and again after being pummeled in Nanjing by Korea, there was no sweeter sound than talk of a “chance to recover territory.”
“Moreover, Hong Kong is prosperous enough to rival the entire Republic of China. If we get it back, our economy will improve.”
The Chinese fell easily for the temptation that their lives would get better just by acquiring Hong Kong.
Right away, the hot-blooded university students couldn’t stay quiet.
“Demand negotiations from Britain for the return of Hong Kong!”
Demonstrations demanding handover talks broke out all over downtown Chongqing.
Korea watched these protests while steadily leaking messages through Nanjing.
“Hong Kong is the pearl in the dragon’s mouth. Just seizing its assets would more than cover the massive debts the Republic of China owes.”
Korea’s propaganda wasn’t a lie.
Hong Kong’s assets truly surpassed those of the entire Republic of China.
As the frenzied protests by the Chinese grew more intense day by day, the Chongqing government decided to enter negotiations.
Naturally, the British government didn’t so much as snort at them.
“The Republic of China and the Qing are separate countries with different state systems.”
“You know full well that we’ve inherited all the Qing’s rights!”
If that weren’t the case, why would the Republic of China have taken on the Qing’s massive debts?
The verbal sparring between the Republic of China and Britain barely drew any attention from the world.
“It’s obvious the Republic of China will lose—what’s so entertaining about that?”
Just as people predicted, the talks hadn’t even gotten off the ground.
But when Nanjing stepped in, the situation flipped.
“As a fellow Sinosphere nation, we urge Britain to show sincerity on the Hong Kong handover.”
With Nanjing backing Chongqing, the dynamics shifted oddly.
If it had just been the crippled Chongqing, Britain would have scoffed, but Nanjing was a different story.
“You know the gap in our leagues isn’t that wide, right?”
Nanjing was a “quasi-great power” growing by the day.
It even held superior military projection into the South China Sea.
“Nanjing really is the champion of the Sinosphere. Stepping up on issues like this.”
Regardless of the complicated feelings in Chongqing, the Chinese felt reassured by Nanjing’s involvement.
Nanjing + Chongqing VS Britain.
In this lineup, it wasn’t easy to ignore the Sinosphere’s voice.
“Return Hong Kong to China! Now!”
As the Hong Kong issue blew up, Spain chimed in too.
“Return both Hong Kong and Gibraltar. Aren’t they both relics of imperialism?”
With the Gibraltar headache resurfacing amid the Hong Kong mess, the Western world split into factions once more.
The U.S. urged Britain to negotiate on Hong Kong to resolve the situation quickly.
“We’ll back you up from the side, so let’s make it look good.”
The U.S. promised multiple times to pull China’s leash with loans.
“You really mean it? We’re only doing this if we can trust your promise.”
Trusting America’s guarantee, Britain entered the Hong Kong handover talks.
The negotiations hit snags from the start.
“Let’s clarify this first: under international law, the Republic of China has no basis to ‘receive’ a handover.”
Britain didn’t even acknowledge the legality of a handover.
No wonder the talks made no progress.
“We need some face-saving too, or how can we back down?”
Chongqing pleaded for consideration, but the British refused to yield an inch on territorial matters.
“If anyone’s backing down, it’s you. Why should it be us?”
As the talks stalled, an invisible hand from Pyongyang made its move.
“We need New Delhi to step up.”
Soon after, India—a Korean-backed non-permanent Security Council member—submitted a “resolution urging the Hong Kong handover.”
“Yeah, veto.”
Britain vetoed the resolution, but the Third World nations’ challenges didn’t end there.
Third World countries kept submitting dubious resolutions, from Hong Kong human rights bills to all sorts of nonsense.
Korea quietly fed this so-called “international opinion” to the Sinosphere.
“See? So many countries are on our side on Hong Kong.”
In truth, the Chongqing government had planned to clash mildly with Britain and settle for a lease extension, but with Sinosphere opinion tilting toward unconditional handover, they were in a bind.
“No matter which way we go, we’re in trouble.”
Fail to secure the handover?
They’d be branded traitors instantly.
Push for handover?
U.S. loan repayment pressure would follow for sure.
“No, let’s at least set a proper policy. Are we just going to get dragged around powerlessly like this?”
Mindful of public opinion at the end, the Republic of China raised its voice a bit.
“We’ll extend the lease term, so at least pay some rent.”
Britain didn’t even scoff at the offer.
The talks ended in a thorough defeat for the Republic of China.
“Britain has no obligation to hand Hong Kong over to the Republic of China government, but it will pay land lease fees out of moral consideration. The annual land lease payment shall be ten million dollars.”
The British government tossed a pittance and crowed about their victory.
“Long live the British Empire!”
Britain and Hong Kong cheered their triumph together.
Why was Hong Kong joining in the cheers?
“Hey, you expect us to live with those beggar bastards? Tell them to become another Nanjing first.”
Hong Kong had never intended to return to the Republic of China.
Whatever Hong Kong thought, the Republic of China erupted in fury over the defeat.
“Booo! The traitors sold out the motherland!”
Demonstrations immediately broke out in Chongqing, demanding accountability for the humiliating failure.
“Traitors, resign immediately!”
“Get that humiliating traitor alliance out of Chongqing!”
As the protests swelled past a million people, even the China Democratic League couldn’t hold out.
“We take responsibility for the Hong Kong handover failure and resign our entire cabinet.”
The Democratic League’s collapse meant the end of the Asian foothold built by the U.S. Democratic administration.
The CIA, worried about this, had urged concessions to China during the talks.
“The Chinese regime could collapse like this.”
But Nixon and Kissinger showed no regard for Chongqing.
“Isn’t it obvious whose side to take between a reliable Tier 1 ally and an unreliable Tier 3 one?”
Washington’s attitude had its reasons, of course.
“Chongqing just sucks up money and offers zero help.”
Why sour Britain’s feelings by coddling deadweight freeloaders who couldn’t even earn their keep?
With Washington steamrolling ahead, regime collapse became a foregone conclusion, so the CIA quickly reached for the next play.
But Korea gifted the CIA yet another dilemma.
“The Hong Kong handover issue isn’t over yet.”
Korea pointed out that the agreement hadn’t received parliamentary approval.
“What?”
That made the situation extremely awkward.
The U.S. pours money into installing someone in power, only for them to fail another Hong Kong handover?
“Hey, you traitor. What kind of regime is run by a quisling bastard?”
The CIA was stuck in a no-win spot.
Korea tied up their feet like this and gleefully watched China’s chaos unfold.
Frankly, with the inferno of Hong Kong handover talks awaiting any new regime, even ambitious players didn’t want the top seat.
“We’ll think about it once the chair cools off.”
This left the Chinese central government completely paralyzed.
The Republic of China was now little more than a vegetable.
“With the Republic of China’s leadership in a vacuum, this is our chance. Do everything to let the warlords maximize their independence.”
“Understood.”
Korea’s old prime minister began executing his plan to smash America’s Asian alliances one by one, starting with China.