First time for everything. I think in the minds of the British Empire Hong Kong was a British protectorate, not a Chinese colony. I'm sure with some creative thinking and posting one can conjour up a civilized response to the truth that the British Empire had no negotiating field in this matter. either turn over Hong Kong or go to war with China. I think that was a pretty persuasive argument. Silk purse on a sows ear will not cover the truth of the negotiation. China kicked the British out fair and square. Just as Panama took back its sovereign territory from the USA.