China insists that the debate on universal suffrage is internal and condemns what it calls foreign interference by external governments. Even if Britain wanted to put pressure on Beijing, the possibilities of legally forcing China to abide by its treaty were not very good, according to Lorenz Langer, a senior lecturer at the University of Zurich who conducts research on constitutional development in Hong Kong. “The more powerful China becomes, the less [the international community] can do,” Langer said. “The Joint Declaration may be binding, but it will not be implemented by anyone against China`s will at this time.” Hong Kong`s autonomy was guaranteed by the “One Country, Two Systems” agreement enshrined in the 1984 Joint Declaration signed by then Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. But the UK says the deal – known as the Joint Declaration – is under threat because the territory has passed a new law that gives China new control over the people of Hong Kong. This group was a liaison agency, not a power agency, where each party could send up to 20 support staff. It should meet at least once a year in each of the three sites (Beijing, London and Hong Kong). Since July 1, 1988, it has been based in Hong Kong. It should also assist the HKSAR in maintaining and developing economic and cultural relations and conclude agreements on these issues with States, regions and relevant international organizations and could therefore establish specialized sub-groups. Between 1985 and 2000, the Joint Liaison Group held 47 plenary meetings, including 18 in Hong Kong, 15 in London and 14 in Beijing. Before Hong Kong was returned to the People`s Republic of China in July 1997, it signed an international agreement in 1984 known as the Sino-British Joint Declaration. But before Hong Kong returned, Britain and China agreed to introduce “one country, two systems.” Significantly, the legislation was suspended after the protests, which is a point that will not be lost on the leaders of the current protests, although they should also take note of what happened in 2014. Chief Executive Carrie Lam`s recent controversial decision to introduce new extradition laws between Hong Kong and mainland China is directly responsible for what is happening now.

Some political analysts said there was an urgent need to reach an agreement because of fears that Hong Kong`s economy would collapse in the 1980s without a treaty.