Why did the UK give up Hong Kong so easily, but still hang on to N. Ireland?

Question

Ten years after the handover, Hong Kong is slipping away, and human rights there have become a sham. Meanwhile, the UK still hangs vehemently onto N. Ireland... Why do they live under such a double standard?

Answer 1

just a matter of time

then...more than what we expect the countries all over the world are going pieces

Answer 2

Hong kong was a rented territory. Ireland was captured and invaded.

If you want to see double standards, Then look at the uk involvement in the war in iraq. They are repeating the mistakes of northern ireland.

It is not that simple, Northern ireland was planted by the british with loyal protestants, in a similar way to how they planted parts of african "colonies" with whites. The desendants of these planters still remain in the northern counties and as the majority, the democtratic process means that their right to remain part of the uk keeps ireland divided.

As a citizen of the republic of ireland, I personally dont want to have northern ireland. While my view is not shared, I believe reunification will have disasterous effects for the economy if it were to occur.

where i think my country men aggree on is that the desiny of the island is linked despite being divided.

The UK recognises the majority view in northern ireland and therefore holds onto it. However it has been publically said that if the majority shifted to the republican side(to leave the uk) then they would facilitate the handover of northern ireland to the republic. If i were a loyalist i would be deeply troubled by the fact that the country i am loyal to would hand over the country so easy.

Answer 3

UK never owned Hong Kong. China was the one that always owned HK. China 'rented out' Hong Kong for 100 years. In 1897, China let UK have Hong Kong for 100 years until 1997. UK had to give it up. UK probably owned North Ireland so they had a war or something and ireland won.

Answer 4

first of all human rights in HK is not a sham.

Deng Xiaoping clearly stated that China reserves the possibility to claim war if HK was not returned before the end of 1997. And people know that Deng Xiaoping was no joking at all.

Answer 5

you're right, it is a double standard.

I think it will be interesting to see which direction Northern Ireland decides to take when Scotland and Wales become independant nations.

Answer 6

Not really a double standard.  Hong Kong was LEASED from China with a return date.  When the agreed upon date arrived, the city was returned.  That to me is called being honest with their neighbors and themselves.  No such agreement was ever negotiated with Ireland