One Country / Two Systems

PROCESS

It has been one and a half years since British rule ended in Hong Kong and control of the city was returned to China. Under the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy from China for fifty years as a Special Autonomous Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China under the principles of "One Country/Two Systems" and "Hong Kong People Governing Hong Kong." In this lesson, you will visit web sites that will help you compare and evaluate the economic and political systems of China and Hong Kong.

The five broad goals described below can be thought of as criteria for evaluating an economic system. Some of these goals are difficult to measure in objective terms while others can be easily stated as numerical targets.

Visit the some of the sites below and take notes in order to establish a "grade" for China and Hong Kong as the city undergoes its 50-year transition to Chinese rule. Then, complete this worksheet.

• Hong Kong Government Information Center  
• Forming Committee of Chinese Democratic Party
• Hong Kong Democratic Foundation  
• Martin Lee - Barrister & Legislator
• History of Hong Kong prior to 1997
• Hong Kong and its decolonization archives
• Economic Conditions since 2000.

*Adapted from Watts, Michael et al., "Focus: High School Economics." Copyright (c), Council for Economic Education: New York (pp.7-8)