The History of Hong Kong January 30th, 2009
While it is officially designated a Special Administrative Region, most visitors consider Hong Kong to be an overgrown city. The region is centered on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which is what most people think of when they think of Hong Kong. However, the region also includes the New Territories, Lantau Island and around 260 other small islands.
Hong Kong can trace its human inhabitation back to the Paleolithic Area, but much of its ancient history is lost. Recorded history mostly begins with the arrival of Europeans in the early sixteenth century and the name “Hong Kong” doesn’t appear in official documents until the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. This followed the First Opium War that was waged between Great Britain and China beginning in 1839 and lasting until Hong Kong became a Crown Colony with the signing of the treaty. The Second Opium War ended in Chinese defeat in 1860 and ceded additional territory to the Brits. Then, in 1898, the famous 99 year lease by Great Britian of Lantau Island and the area now known as the New Territories, solidified British control of the region and Hong Kong’s position as a major British trading post.
Hong Kong remained a free port through the middle of the twentieth century. During World War II, Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese Empire from December 1941 until the Japanese surrendered in 1945. Over half the region’s population had left during the occupation, but rebounded quickly with refugees arriving during the Chinese Civil War. Hong Kong’s unique position as British-ruled Chinese territory made it an ideal liaison between the western world and the increasingly isolated mainland. The influx of corporations and industry headquarters made Hong Kong one of the world’s important financial and business centers.
The second half of the 20th century was dominated by anticipation of the end of Great Britian’s lease and fears about returning control of the region to mainland China. In 1984 the the Sino-British Joint Declaration outlined the transfer of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997. The agreement allowed for Hong Kong to retain most of its autonomy for at least the first fifty years following the transfer with Hong Kong Basic Law serving as the region’s constitution. This is generally referred to as a policy of “one country, two systems.”
Today, Hong Kong retains its identity as a leading Asian financial and commercial center. Visitors to the region can enjoy the 5 star hotels of Hong Kong, modern shopping malls, and some of the best fine dining experiences in the world. Hong Kong is also known for its incrediblely beautiful skyline featuring stunning skyscrapers and views of Victoria’s Peak. Tourists can also peruse the area’s many fine museums, galleries, and historical sites to get a sense of Hong’s rich culture, heritage, and art.
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