evidence: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China Officially called Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong covers an area of approximately 1095 km2 and is comprised of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and more than 260 adjacent islands. Hong Kong Island is located off China’s south China coast near Guangdong province and is surrounded by the South China Sea. The New Territories, which are attached to the mainland, account for over 85% of its total territory. [...] In 1997, China reestablished control over the region when Britain’s lease on the New Territories expired. Britain had hoped to negotiate an extension to the lease but met with resolute opposition. Though Kowloon and Hong Kong Island had been ceded to the British "in perpetuity" it was felt that keeping them would not be practical if the New Territories were returned to China. China now governs Hong Kong as a special administrative region under a "one country, two systems" policy. As part of this policy, Hong Kong is allowed a multi-party political system, an independent judiciary functioning largely under a Common Law framework, and a high degree of autonomy except in matters of foreign relations and military defense. Nevertheless, its democracy is tempered by a high degree of input from the mainland government, which is still responsible for appointing Hong Kong’s chief executive.