The recent release fo files from the National Archives in London unearthed a rather bizarre plan that propsed moving Hong Kong to Northern Ireland

Reading University lecturer Christy Davies wrote in 1983 that the people of Hong Kong faced an uncertain future when the deal with Britain ran out in 1997, and that their best bet would be to relocate somewhere else. 

The 5.5 million people of Hong Kong would be better off moving to a new city state, according to Davies, who added that the best place for them would be in Northern Ireland, somewhere between Coleraine and Derry, and that they would be able to boost the economy in the North, which was struggling badly at the time.

According to The Metro, Northern Ireland official George Fergusson supported the plan and stated that it was worth seriously considering, as it would prove to the Unionist population that the UK was committed to keeping Northern Ireland, but most people did not take it that way. 

Speaking to The New York Times, it seems not even Davies himself was serious, as he said that "At the time, the piece was well received in Hong Kong, but it was recognized as humourous [but] the Irish do not understand satire and have no sense of humour so I guess some of them took it seriously". 

Via Independent.ie. Main pic via Jo Schmaltz/Flickr