Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, was formed as the South China Sea overflowed the coastline of the Kowloon Peninsula. A global firm of engineering consultants, designers, development planners & project managers. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Demonstrators change tactics, conducting surprise protests at government buildings and in far-flung parts of the New Territories. All rights reserved, Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, expiration of China’s agreement to honor Hong Kong’s Basic Law. As a result, the government undertakes ambitious social reforms, tackling official corruption and increasing educational opportunities. Today, Kowloon Bay has been almost entirely reclaimed from the sea. As the treaty’s expiration loomed, separating the New Territories from the rest of Hong Kong became increasingly unthinkable. Hong Kong becomes a regional trade center. That and other Chinese policies, like a recent attempt to allow extradition to the mainland, have led to mass protests, strained British-Chinese diplomatic relations, and fueled increasing concerns that China is stifling public dissent, interfering in local politics, and eroding human rights in Hong Kong. Big winter snows in the North could be fueled by Arctic sea ice loss, 'Lost golden city of Luxor' discovered by archaeologists in Egypt, How the first pitch became baseball's Opening Day tradition, How Queen Victoria remade the British monarchy, Why the St. Vincent volcano has such a deadly reputation, Europe to review Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine over reports of rare blood clots. But was it the beginning of lasting autonomy for Hong Kong? Prima del 1842, il nome si riferiva a una piccola insenatura - ora conosciuta come porto di Aberdeen o 香港仔 hoeng 1 gong 2 zai 2 "Piccola Hong Kong" - tra l'isola di Aberdeen e il lato sud dell'isola di Hong Kong. Protesters clash with police in Hong Kong in July 2019. Please be respectful of copyright. But because of the city’s new election structure under Chinese rule, pro-democracy candidates don’t gain a majority in the legislature. Battle to control America’s ‘most destructive’ species: feral pigs. Battle to control America’s ‘most destructive’ species: feral pigs. British merchants trade illegally smuggled opium from India for Chinese goods such as tea, silks and porcelain, setting the stage for a vicious trade dispute. Here's why we need to save them. So do international trade and Western-style schools, banks and businesses. How Hong Kong’s complex history explains its current crisis with China. Waste left over from the coffee-making process can jolt destroyed forests back to life. Critics claim the bill threatens Hong Kong’s independence and that extradition could be used to silence China’s critics. Does everyone need to wear a mask outside? It is a landslide for pro-democracy candidates, who win more than 65 percent of the vote. From a British colony to part of Beijing’s ‘one country, two systems’ policy, Hong Kong’s government has almost always been the exception—not the rule. At the end of the war, British and French troops lay waste to Beijing’s Summer Palaces. Protesters take over the airport and face police at government buildings and in tourist and shopping districts. The civil war drives hundreds of thousands to flee to Hong Kong, leading to the creation of large squatter settlements. For weeks, it has also roiled with pro-democracy protests as millions take to the streets to demand political self-determination and personal autonomy. Big winter snows in the North could be fueled by Arctic sea ice loss, 'Lost golden city of Luxor' discovered by archaeologists in Egypt, How the first pitch became baseball's Opening Day tradition, How Queen Victoria remade the British monarchy, Why the St. Vincent volcano has such a deadly reputation, Europe to review Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine over reports of rare blood clots. The final treaty, the 1898 Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, leased the New Territories to Britain for 99 years. So much of the old city has gone that even shots from the 70's and 80's seem like ancient history. Il nome "Hong Kong" è una rappresentazione fonetica approssimativa della pronuncia della parlata cantonese o il nome Hakka "香港", che significa "porto profumato". Why do male gorillas beat their chests? Up to 100,000 people arrive each month, bringing a dizzying array of dialects, languages, and traditions with them. Hong Kong - Hong Kong - Government and society: When it was a colony, Hong Kong was administered by a governor, who was appointed by and represented the monarch of the United Kingdom, directed the government, served as the commander in chief, and presided over the two main organs of government, the Executive Council and the Legislative Council. Does everyone need to wear a mask outside? The current composition of Hong Kong’s 70-seat Legislative Council is 40 Geographic Constituency legislators elected directly by voters, albeit according to a proportional representation system. Hong Kong citizens experience a growing sense of uncertainty—and wonder why they weren’t included in the negotiations. Japan invades and occupies Hong Kong. It concludes with the Convention of Peking, which cedes the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island to Britain. 430,000 years ago a meteor exploded over Antarctica, leaving clues in the debris. Why we need booster shots against variants to help end the pandemic, This U.S. national park has the world’s longest cave system. Trust in Beijing’s commitment to democracy in Hong Kong plummets, and half a million people engage in pro-democracy protests in July. The United Kingdom had held Hong Kong as a colony since 1841, when it occupied the area during the First Opium War. Japanese bombs drop in Hong Kong territory. Students strike, citizens participate in huge pro-democracy rallies, and demonstrators occupy the city center for weeks. The Chinese legislature rules out open elections in Hong Kong, saying that it will only allow candidates approved by Beijing to run for its top political position. Britain is awarded a rent-free, 99-year lease on the New Territories. Please be respectful of copyright. In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and China’s premier Zhao Ziyang signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing that China would give Hong Kong some political and social autonomy through a “one country, two systems” policy for a 50-year-period. Over the next 56 years, it will lose control over all three main regions of Hong Kong. The ‘special status’ of this powerful global city is the result of two centuries of growth, turmoil, and change. Why do male gorillas beat their chests? The massacre fuels worries about how China will govern in Hong Kong, and anti-Communist sentiments grow. The war broke out after Qing-dynasty China attempted to crack down an illegal opium trade that led to widespread addiction in China. In Hong Kong, more than 1 million people protest the massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Hong Kong has been wracked by a recent series of protests in support of self-determination for its citizens. Terrified Hong Kong residents avoid public places at the height of the epidemic, and the government is criticized for its slow response. Opium addiction becomes a serious problem for China. Starting in 2014, elections were conducted using a list of candidates vetted by Beijing. More. The 'special status' of the city is a result of its unusual political history. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are considered the “three pillars” of ancient Chinese society. Parasites are going extinct. Why we need booster shots against variants to help end the pandemic, This U.S. national park has the world’s longest cave system. Home to over seven million people, Hong Kong teems with life. The movement fails, and many of the leaders, who were students, are jailed. Photograph by An Rong Xu, National Geographic, 430,000 years ago a meteor exploded over Antarctica, leaving clues in the debris. It is the first of three “unequal treaties” China signs with Britain. Beijing officials are furious, and negotiations fall apart. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. China attempts to suppress Britain’s opium trade by destroying the smuggled opium and punishing traffickers. The sun had finally set on one of the wealthiest modern outposts of the British Empire. How this more contagious virus variant became dominant in the U.S. How this more contagious virus variant became dominant in the U.S. In response, Britain issues an ultimatum. China pledges to grant Hong Kong a “high degree of autonomy” and that Hong Kong would move toward direct elections by 2007. The handover still has another phase ahead: the expiration of China’s agreement to honor Hong Kong’s Basic Law. Demonstrations and battles between police and pro-democracy protesters break out throughout Hong Kong. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Second Opium War between the United Kingdom, the French Empire, and China takes place. Illustration by Adolfo Arranz, National Geographic, Map by Soren Walljasper, National Geographic. But unrest grows due to income inequality and poor working conditions among the surging population. We’ll find out in 2047. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and China’s Premier Zhao Ziyang sign the Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong. In 2020, in a period of large-scale protests, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the controversial Hong Kong national security law. China requires that its approval must be obtained for any changes to Hong Kong election laws, effectively giving it veto power over any moves towards democracy. As philosophies and religions, they not only influenced spirituality, but also government, science, the arts, and social structure. Gas heat and stoves are warming the climate. Volcano tourism is booming, but is it too risky? Constitution. From a British colony to part of Beijing’s ‘one country, two systems’ policy, Hong Kong… Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. After the handover, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China with its own “mini constitution,” legal system, and some democratic rights like free speech and the freedom of assembly under its Basic Law. The forgotten fossil hunter who transformed Britain’s Jurassic Coast. Hong Kong officially reverts to Chinese rule after more than 150 years of British control. Gas heat and stoves are warming the climate. Here's why we need to save them. Should cities start banning them? These “ecological zombies” will eat almost anything and can live almost anywhere. A Shanghai-born businessman named Tung Chee-hwa is chosen to rule the new Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Police fight back with tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets, injuring 80 people. About half a million people march to protest an attempt to introduce Article 23, a national security “anti-subversion” law that critics feared would curtail free speech. Where to find warrior queens, fairies, and castles in Scotland. This tumultuous decade sees riots, civil unrest, and social anxiety, coupled with natural disasters like droughts and typhoons. Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. The history of the Hong Kong Police originates in 1841, when the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) was officially established by the British colonial government, the same year that the British had settled in Hong Kong.While changes have been implemented throughout the People's Republic of China (PRC) since the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, the Hong Kong Police Force (formerly the Royal Hong … Under the terms of the treaty, China would regain control of its leased lands on July 1, 1997. Over the next half-century, the United Kingdom gained control over all three main regions of Hong Kong: After Hong Kong Island came the Kowloon Peninsula, and finally the New Territories, a swath of land that comprises the bulk of Hong Kong today. Hong Kong’s population surges from 600,000 in 1945 to 2.5 million in 1956. . Parasites are going extinct. New study offers intriguing evidence, A mysterious neurological disease is afflicting endangered Florida panthers, Endangered trout may soon return to the concrete Los Angeles River, In Spain, sanctuaries give forever homes to farmed animals, Elephants return to conflict-ridden national park, Many mammals are contagious yawners—this might be why, Once-rare Arctic lightning is now more frequent—and may reshape the region, As halibut decline, Alaska Native fishers square off against industrial fleets, Hazardous spill in Florida highlights environmental threat decades in the making. It galvanizes pro-democracy support in the city, and more candidates in favor of democratic rule run in the next election. Tens of thousands of people march in a pro-democracy rally. As Japanese forces close in on Hong Kong after the start of the Sino-Japanese War, thousands of people from mainland China flee to the city. Remnants from the space rock may help explain how often these cosmic explosions occur—and the threat they pose to Earth. The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of the special administrative region specified that except in matters of defense and foreign affairs, Hong Kong would have a high degree of autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework, but the Chinese Communist Party … Here are 25 powerful moments from Hong Kong’s long history: Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Should cities start banning them? The bill is soon withdrawn, but the proposed law faces international criticism and is seen as evidence of China’s desire to restrict freedoms in Hong Kong. Officials begin to draft a mini constitution for the city in a reflection of China’s “one state, two systems” policy. However, Hong Kong residents cannot elect their own leaders; rather, a chief executive is elected by a 1,200-member election committee. By 1839, China is home to 10 million opium smokers and up to 2 million addicts. New study offers intriguing evidence, A mysterious neurological disease is afflicting endangered Florida panthers, Endangered trout may soon return to the concrete Los Angeles River, In Spain, sanctuaries give forever homes to farmed animals, Elephants return to conflict-ridden national park, Many mammals are contagious yawners—this might be why, Once-rare Arctic lightning is now more frequent—and may reshape the region, As halibut decline, Alaska Native fishers square off against industrial fleets, Hazardous spill in Florida highlights environmental threat decades in the making. Hong Kong's political and judicial systems may be integrated with China's at that time, or the territory may continue to be administered separately. Deng keeps the option of resuming sovereignty open, but admits the city has a “special status.” Behind the scenes, the UK starts planning its exit. Millions of people march in the peaceful demonstrations that follow. Up to 100,000 Chinese found refuge in Hong Kong after the Communist Party took power. The forgotten fossil hunter who transformed Britain’s Jurassic Coast. Starting in the late 1970s, the U.K. and China began to discuss Hong Kong’s future. The unrest leads to a sense of social cohesion in an increasingly multicultural society. history: several previous (governance documents while under British authority); latest drafted April 1988 to February 1989, approved March 1990, effective 1 July 1997 (Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China serves as the constitution); note - since 1990, China's National People's Congress has … A rash of protests and acts of civil disobedience follow. China and Hong Kong are struck by the deadly SARS epidemic, a respiratory virus that infects 8,096 people worldwide and kills 774. Mary Anning and her most important dinosaur finds went unsung, but her legacy now draws travelers to southwest England. The Treaty of Nanjing is signed by China and Britain, ceding the island of Hong Kong to Britain permanently. The marches continue every July, providing an annual reminder of citizens’ demands for universal suffrage, freedom of speech protections and democratic rule. Hundreds are arrested and China threatens to crack down. Hong Kong moves forward with the reforms, but China plans to dismantle them once it takes the city back. Britain resumes control over the civil government. Volcano tourism is booming, but is it too risky? Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect the demands of the protesters. The 'special status' of the city is a result of its unusual political history. Experts weigh in. Defeat came at a high cost: In 1842, China agreed to cede the island of Hong Kong to the British in perpetuity through the Treaty of Nanjing. Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. The latest news, events and upcoming exhibitions by Arup. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Up to 30,000 Chinese are killed or wounded; there are just 2,900 Western casualties. Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, announces democratic reforms for the 1994 local and 1995 legislative elections without consulting China. During occupation, Hong Kong’s population shrinks from 1.6 million to 600,000. They haven’t gotten their demands yet—but the protests continue unabated. Hong Kong democracy leaders found guilty over peaceful 2019 protest Seven figures including Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai convicted over unauthorised march Published: 1 Apr 2021 The first elections are held, producing record turnout despite torrential rains. Mao Zedong is replaced by the more moderate Deng Xiaoping, who implements a policy of “opening and reform.” Britain, looking ahead to the end of its 99-year lease on the New Territories, approaches Deng about continuing its administration.