What is peculiar about Hong Kong's political status?
A) It is jointly governed by both Britain and China.
B) It is a sovereign nation that will become a Chinese colony in 2000.
C) It is culturally a part of China but has been governed by Japan since 1860.
D)It was leased to the British but became part of China in 1997.
I think its A.
I believe the correct answer is D
Actually, the correct answer is D) It was leased to the British but became part of China in 1997. Hong Kong's political status is quite unique and distinct from other regions. From 1842 to 1997, Hong Kong was under British rule as a British colony. The territory was leased to the British by the Chinese and was governed separately from mainland China.
However, in 1997, the lease agreement between Britain and China expired, and Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty. This event marked the transfer of political control from Britain to China, and Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China with a high degree of autonomy. The principle of "one country, two systems" was established, which allows Hong Kong to maintain its own legal and economic system separate from the mainland.
Under this arrangement, Hong Kong has its own legal system based on common law, separate from the Chinese legal system which is based on civil law. It also has its own government, Chief Executive, and legislative body, known as the Legislative Council. However, the government is required to be loyal to China and its Chief Executive is appointed by a committee that is heavily influenced by the Chinese government.
So, while Hong Kong is now part of China, it has a unique political status and enjoys certain freedoms and autonomy not found in mainland China.