Why does China take a hard line on Hong Kong? To spell out post-1997 status and quash false hopes
The answer is obvious. A correct understanding of the legal and constitutional basis for the city’s present political existence is essential to build and maintain confidence. Conversely, constant misrepresentation of the issue only adds to the confusion and creates false expectations and unrealistic demands that ultimately undermine confidence in the stability of the present system. As a professor of law, Mr Michael Davis should have no dispute with this.
There is no dispute that the Joint Declaration is an international treaty and binding on both sides. The issue is whether the obligations under the treaty have been already fulfilled by both sides, and whether the Joint Declaration forms the legal and constitutional basis of post-1997 Hong Kong.