Abstract
Stated in the most general terms, the paper is interested in the way how sovereignty is constituted and how it works. It is argued here that we can get the best insight into the general issue of sovereignty and, more broadly, into the character of the modern international order if we look at those cases when sovereignty gets bend, becomes incomplete or problematic (in different possible ways) or when it is connected with different models of polity organization.
In other words, it is argued that we should look at fringe situations, players or constitutions of sovereignty. China and India seem to be crucial testing cases for the specified purpose as both are seen as strong advocates of "Westphalian" ("conservative") sovereignty and at the same time have imperial histories; they relate themselves to their own histories of great empires and incorporate heritage of another - British - empire.
Largely influenced by the imperial history, they organize very specific relationships with other smaller polities - Hong Kong and Bhutan. The process of imperial handover (from the British empire to China and India) largely influenced contemporary sovereignty status of Hong Kong (autonomous region of China and, simultaneously, a global player) and Bhutan (quasi-protectorate of India with limited foreign and security policy).
Hence, these cases can be understood as imperial leftovers incorporated into society of states.