On this day, 41 years ago, September 26, 1984 (September 2, 1984 in the lunar calendar), China and the United Kingdom initialled the Joint Declaration on the Hong Kong Question. China and Britain initialled Joint Statement on the Hong Kong Issue On September 26, 1984, the China government and the British government initialled a Joint Statement on the Hong Kong Issue in Beijing, confirming that China will regain Hong Kong and resume the exercise of sovereignty on July 1, 1997. In order to maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, the China government has decided to maintain Hong Kong's current social system, economic system, and lifestyle unchanged for 50 years after the recovery of Hong Kong; A special administrative region under the Central People's Government is established in Hong Kong. It is governed by local people in Hong Kong and enjoys a high degree of autonomy. Premier Zhao Ziyang of the State Council and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher signed the joint statement on behalf of their governments.