When Did Hong Kong Return to China?
Due to disputes between Hong Kong and Britain during the Opium War, Britain received control of the once Chinese nation for the 155 years between 1842 through 1997. The return of Hong Kong to China was not a simple process. The colony remained in complete submission to British rule during the late part of the 19th century and for most of the 20th century.
At midnight on June 30, 1997, the British flag was lowered, and the Hong Kong and Chinese flags were raised in order the symbolize the return of power over Hong Kong to China. This return was orderly; however, many years of fighting had led up to this moment.
Britain Gains Control
In September of 1839, Lin Tse-hsu, Governor of Hunan, started the first Opium War by ordering his troops to attack a British merchant fleet in hopes of ending the British bringing opium into China through southern Guangzhou. These opium wars continued until 1842, when the Emperor of China and Queen of England signed the Treaty of Nanking. Not only did this treaty end the opium wars, but it also gave Britain control of Hong Kong.
Preparing for the Return to Chinese Rule
In 1979, Hong Kong Governor Murray MacLehose first brought the idea of Hong Kong's return to public attention, but the actual return still did not occur for 18 more years.
When MacLehose first attempted to return Hong Kong to China, his efforts were supported by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister Edward Heath, and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. On December 19, 1984, the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed, which stated that Hong Kong would be returned to China at midnight on June 30, 1997.
For the next 13 years, steps were taken to ensure an easy transition back to China. In 1985, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, was created, and the final draft was approved by the National People's Congress in April of 1990. As the day of return inched closer, a committee was formed to choose Hong Kong's future Chief Executive, and the National People's Congress voted on whether to repeal or amend civil liberty laws in Hong Kong.
Aftermath of the Return to Chinese Rule
On July 1, 1997, the day following the return of Hong Kong to China, over 4000 troops from China's People's Liberation Army marched into Hong Kong. Furthermore, the Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, and the Provisional Legislative Council were sworn in.
Now Hong Kong lives by the phrase "one country, two systems" as the region has retained its capitalist system of economics but also operates under many of the properties of the communist nation of China.
Hong Kong's economy is thriving and stock market and property prices are soaring. The region is an essential hub to China's economy. In fact, Hong Kong and China work together to change local, national, and global attitudes about each other, and China hopes that Hong Kong will be able to strengthen the country's ties with Taiwan.