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TIMELINE OF HK'S RETURN TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY
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1982: China and Britain begin talks on Hong Kong's future.
1984: China and Britain sign the Joint Declaration that sets out the conditions for the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is to retain its capitalist system and lifestyle for 50 years after the handover.
1990: China's Parliament, the National People's Congress, adopts the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-Constitution.
1992: Hong Kong's last governor Chris Patten proposes democratic reforms to broaden the voting base in elections.
1997: Hong Kong returns to the Chinese fold with former shipping tycoon Tung Chee Hwa as its Chief Executive. The Chinese undo reforms put in place by Lord Patten.
2002: The Hong Kong government proposes a new anti-subversion law.
2003: About half a million Hong Kongers march on July 1, the anniversary of the handover, in protest against the anti-subversion Bill, which is subsequently withdrawn.
2007: Beijing says it will allow Hong Kongers to elect the Chief Executive directly in 2017 and legislators in 2020; pro-democracy activists are disappointed with the drawn-out timescale.
2012: Hong Kongers take to the streets to protest against a proposal to introduce mandatory patriotic education in schools. The proposal is later withdrawn.
2014: Beijing rules that candidates for direct election of the Chief Executive should be vetted by a committee and that the Chief Executive would have to be appointed by the central government. This sparks protests by pro-democracy Hong Kongers who want greater freedom to choose their leader.
2015: The Legislative Council rejects proposals for direct election of the Chief Executive.
2017: Ms Carrie Lam is elected as the new Chief Executive by a 1,200-member committee.