Treaty for a Lost City

C. L. Lim is Choh-Ming Li Professor of Law at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Visiting Professor at King's College London, Honorary Senior Fellow of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, a member of the International and Comparative Law Quarterly editorial committee, and membre associé de l'Institut de Droit International. His publications include International Investment Law and Arbitration (co-authored, 2021) and The Cambridge Companion to International Arbitration (2021).

• Part I. 1982-1997; Introduction to Part I.; 1. Negotiations commence; 2. The Joint Declaration; 3. Twilight of Colonial Rule, Democratic Reform, the Basic Law and Bill of Rights: 1984-1997; Part II. 1997-2014; Introduction to Part II.; 4. The Court and the Canaries in a storm; 5. Foreign treaty relations; 6. Acts of state, foreign affairs, defence; 7. Demos; Part III. 2014-2021; 8. Patriotism, comprehensive jurisdiction, formal allegiance: 2014-2017; 9. Fundamental rights and the 2019 Extradition Bill; 10. The 2020 National Security Law; 11. Aftermath.

Accusations from the West that China is tearing up the Sino British Joint Declaration over Hong Kong are serious calumnies. This book shows how two diametrically opposed solutions were put together. The British wanted a treaty, and the Chinese wanted a unilateral declaration of policy. The policy was enshrined in treaty form – in other words -proving the maxim that a treaty between states is a disagreement put into writing. It is a riveting read, the work of a first class, razor sharp mind, a distinguished academic as well as a prominent barrister. Anthony Carty, formerly Sir Y K Pao Chair of Public Law, University of Hong Kong, at present Chair of Public International Law, Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law, Beijing