According to the agreement between Great Britain and thePeoples Republic of Chinathe British were to leave in 1997 regardless of the welfare of theHong Kong population.the Chinese agreed to permit a halfof relatively selfgoverningcapitalism in Hong Kong after British rule ended.the true nature of Hong Kong autonomy after the British left wasnot discussed.the Peoples Republican Government ended Hong Kongs capitalistsystem.Hong Kong was recognized as an independent nation by the PeoplesRepublic of China.