On July 1, 1997, Britain officially handed Hong Kong back to China under the 'one country, two systems' framework, ending 156 years of colonial rule. This transition was marked by promises of autonomy and the preservation of Hong Kong's unique social and economic systems. The handover has since shaped political tensions and discussions about governance, identity, and the future of Hong Kong within the context of Chinese sovereignty.

The Hong Kong Handover in 1997 prompted a wave of poetry reflecting on identity, transition, and freedom within Sinophone literature. Poets like Leung Ping-kwan and Xi Xi explored the complexities of cultural identity in a changing political landscape, enriching contemporary literary discourse.