This is a study of the collision of Britain's 'imperialism of free trade' with China's sovereignty over Hong Kong from the time of the Colony's occupation in 1842 to the signing of the Joint Declaration in 1984. It examines the influences at work on successive British governments in seeking, expanding and, ultimately, returning the Colony to China. It also examines the influence of the Chinese concept of its national sovereignty on the development of the framework of its demands for Hong Kong's return, including the 'unequal treaties' principal and the 'one country, two systems' proposal.