What factors caused the British to return Hong Kong to the Chinese? Was there any chance Britain would try to maintain control of the island?

by rastadreadlion
LordZarasophos

Hello! Maybe check out these answers to a similar question:

/u/funkyedwardgibbon writes that "Essentially: if China attacked, Britain couldn't defend it. If China didn't attack, Britain couldn't keep the water running and the lights on. It was untenable to hold it past 1997."

And, erm, I write that "The British did not want to spend money on Hong Kong, they were not all that interested in Hong Kong, it was a nuisance to closer integration into Europe and closer relations with China. At the same time, they were happy to keep it on a long leash if the Chinese let them – and the Chinese did, because it gave them economic opportunities and because time was working in their favour."