“One country; two systems” has been the motto for the relationship between China and its partially autonomous territories of Hong Kong and Taiwan since the 1980’s. The British took over Hong Kong island in the 1840’s following Chinese defeat in the first Opium war. Hong Kong was a British colony for over one hundred years until it was handed back over to the Chinese government in 1997. When the British took over the island they also acquired a 99 year lease on the northern peninsula that sat just above the island. When this lease expired the British government sought to renew the lease and continue occupation of the territory. However the Chinese government refused to extend the lease and therefore the British decided to hand over the entire territory when the lease formally expired in 1997. In the years leading up to the handover the British government made many advances in democracy on the island to undermine Chinese influence in the region. They started democratic elections and established a system known as the basic law, while also further developing a capitalist economy in the city. China was forced to maintain these freedoms that the citizens of Hong Kong enjoyed after the takeover so they developed a policy of one country; two systems. However, now that China is more powerful why does it not try to bring Hong Kong politics closer to that of the mainland. The first reason that cannot be discounted for the Chinese tolerance of this system is the pressure from the international community, especially the United States and the United Kingdom. The bigger reason, however, is the economic benefits that the mainland receives from the capitalist economy of the island. Any forceful change of freedoms for the people of Hong Kong would certainly be incredibly distributive for the economic benefits that are gained by Chinese businessmen with investments on the island. Therefore, the reason that China does not bring Hong Kong closer to Beijing is a classic case of if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.