Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Hong Kong
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question relates to modern political geography and international relations. The principle of “one country, two systems” was formulated by China to allow certain regions to maintain separate economic and legal systems while remaining part of the People's Republic of China. In 1997 a significant territory, previously under British rule, was handed back to China and became a Special Administrative Region under this principle. The question asks you to identify that territory from the given options.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The approach is factual but benefits from understanding the political context. Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997, when sovereignty was transferred to China under a joint declaration. It then became a Special Administrative Region with a high degree of autonomy in economic, legal and administrative matters, following the “one country, two systems” model. Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia have different historical and administrative backgrounds and are not governed under this special arrangement. Therefore, the correct answer is Hong Kong.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Hong Kong was under British rule and that the Sino British Joint Declaration provided for its handover to China in 1997.
Step 2: Note that after the handover, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China with its own Basic Law and a separate system from mainland China in many areas.
Step 3: Recognise that this arrangement was explicitly described as “one country, two systems”, with one country being China and two systems being the socialist system in mainland China and the capitalist system in Hong Kong.
Step 4: Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are autonomous regions within China but they did not become Special Administrative Regions in 1997, nor were they part of a separate colonial rule ending in that year.
Step 5: Therefore, Hong Kong is the only option that fits the description in the question.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification can be done by remembering popular news coverage and history lessons about the 1997 Hong Kong handover ceremony, which was widely broadcast worldwide. The slogan “one country, two systems” is strongly associated with Hong Kong and later with Macau, which returned in 1999. No similar international events took place in 1997 regarding Tibet, Xinjiang or Inner Mongolia. This confirms that Hong Kong is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Tibet) is incorrect because Tibet is an autonomous region that was integrated into the People's Republic of China in the 1950s, not in 1997, and it is not governed under the “one country, two systems” framework.
Option C (Xinjiang) is incorrect since Xinjiang is an autonomous region of China and has been part of the country for many decades before 1997.
Option D (Inner Mongolia) is also incorrect because it is an autonomous region with a long standing status within China and was not part of a 1997 handover arrangement.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse the notion of an autonomous region with a Special Administrative Region. Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are autonomous regions, which is a different category from the Special Administrative Region status enjoyed by Hong Kong and Macau. Another pitfall is misremembering the year, but 1997 is strongly tied to the Hong Kong handover in international news history, so associating the year with that event helps avoid confusion.
Final Answer:
The territory that became a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997 under the principle of “one country, two systems” is Hong Kong.
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