FADE IN.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
Just before the Departure Hall loading bay. PETER stops his car at the end of a queue. He then takes out his phone to take a few photos.
PETER (V.O.)
Good that the Airport is
crowded and is functional.
Potential visitors to Hong
Kong like to see what I
see now.
As the queue is clearing, Peter offloads his DAUGHTER and her baggage.
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Having had a look of his phone screen, Peter is thinking.
PETER (V.O.)
This historical question is
worth revisiting and
answering.
As Peter types, we see on the phone screen:
Q Why did Margaret Thatcher handover Hong Kong to China?
A.
1. Back stories
Sino-Vietnam War, Feb-March 1979
China fought a brief border war with Vietnam (Feb-March 1979) as a punitive action against Vietnam's invasion and occupation of Cambodia in 1978. Both China and Vietnam claimed victories.
Falklands War, April-June 1982
Argentina invaded Falklands on April 2, 1982. Britain did not have a contingency plan. It was difficult for Britain to retake Falklands, although it succeeded. Thatcher was criticised for the neglect of Falklands' defence.
2 Challenges
Three unequal treaties on Hong Kong
In negotiating with China, Thatcher relied on Treaty of Nanking 1842 (ceding Hong Kong island), Treaty of Tientsin 1858 (ceding Kowloon) and Convention of Peking 1898 (New Territories lease expiring in 1997).
Deng's Sept 1982 warning to Thatcher
Deng Xiaoping said to Thatcher in their September 1982 meeting in Beijing that China could walk in and retake Hong Kong as a whole later in the day if she did not give in.
Deng's ignorance of capitalism
When Thatcher retorted that Hong Kong would collapse economically, Deng was taken aback as he did not know Hong Kong did not restrict the free flow of capital - one of the reasons for Hong Kong's success.
Thatcher's failed lobbying
Thatcher failed in her lobbying Deng in exchanging British sovereignty in return for continued British suzerainty over Hong Kong as a whole when the New Territories lease expired in 1997.
3 Resolution
Sino-British Joint Declaration 1984
After rounds of negotiations, the Joint Declaration 1984 was signed. While Britain would handover the whole of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the one country, two systems principle would apply in Hong Kong.
Not-so-Great Britain after 1997
In her memoir, Thatcher admitted she was depressed after agreeing to abandon Hong Kong in 1997. The 1997 handover of Hong Kong as Britain's last substantial colony marked the end of the British Empire.
Peter taps "Submit".
INT. PAPILLON, HOPEWELL CENTRE - DAY
Peter is having a lunch with a GENTLEMAN (67).
PETER
What we do next is that
you draft a White Paper.
I'll add my considerations
before sending it to our
collaborators.
The gentleman nods.
EXT. WANCHAI - DAY
Peter is strolling, taking some photos.
PETER (V.O.)
I need more Hong Kong
photos to rebrand Hong
Kong.
Peter sees an empty bench in Wedding Card street.
PETER (V.O.)
Let me have my first
experience in sitting
here and drafting another
Quora answer.
Peter checks his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.)
Well, this's another serious
question.
As Peter types, we see on the screen:
Q.Are protesters pushing Hong Kong into a deadly situation?
A.
Deadly direction.
From media interviews, one can infer the radicals will not cease and desist from deploying violence to entrench their superiority complex over Mainlanders and their inferiority complex towards Westerners.
Deadly situation.
Are the minority violent radicals that powerful to cause the death of Hong Kong? "The death of Hong Kong" first appeared on the cover page of the Fortune Magazine, June 1995. Hong Kong did not die in 1997.
Pheonix revival.
Hongkoners will embrace adversities as pivotal moments in making radical good changes timely. Eg my dream to establish an IP-backed capital market in Hong Kong may come true quicker.
Deadly institutions.
Hongkongers adapt to situations smartly. They are confident with their genuine talent and skill in delivering value to sustain success. Hong Kong is a great city and its institutions are deadly.
Looking pleased, Peter taps: Submit.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Yes, Hong Kong is going
to have a Phoenix revival.
I'm working on it to
reconstruct and redevelop
Hong Kong.
EXT. AVENUE OF STARS - NIGHT
Peter and other TOURISTS are enjoying the harbour view. Peter takes some photos.
PETER (V.O.)
These tourists should
have a smooth experience
at the Airport, Hong Kong
must be welcoming in
every way!
FADE OUT.
THE END