BEIJING - Few would disagree that China's late patriarch Deng Xiaoping was a wise and visionary leader. It took courage to grant Hong Kong autonomy in a "one country, two systems" framework that sets the city apart from other Chinese cities green with envy.
China would keep its hands off Hong Kong, pledging that the city's capitalist system and lifestyle will not change for 50 years and that it will be run by Hong Kongers except in foreign and defence affairs.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Read the full story and more at $9.90/month
Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month
ST One Digital
$9.90/month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
Unlock these benefits
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you