The Brits' hands were tied. Modern Hong Kong is comprised of three parts, Hong Kong island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon were

The Brits' hands were tied. Modern Hong Kong is comprised of three parts, Hong Kong island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon were ceded to UK, while the New Territories had only been _leased_ for 99-year (1898 - 1997), which in 1980s accounted for around 90% of the land and 40% of the population of Hong Kong. If the Brits had obtained permanent rights in the New Territories, the situation would have been different. But they hadn't and by contract had to return Hong Kong to China. It has been argued, though, that they should have returned Hong Kong to Republic of China.