British Hong Kong is a state entity claimed by China and the UK. A complex system of international treaties has made this peninsula practically independent of both countries, and liberal tax laws have allowed this state to become one of the fastest growing regions in the world.
Backstory
The history of Hong Kong begins about 30,000 years ago. According to archaeologists, this is one of the most famous corners of the earth, where traces of the activities of ancient people were discovered. For a long time, this territory belonged undividedly to China. During the Tang Dynasty, the region was known as an international trading center. Hong Kong was known as a major s alt producer, naval port, smuggling center.
Beginning of the Opium War
In 1836, the Chinese government undertook a major overhaul of its policies regarding the sale of raw opium. Lin agreed to take on the task of blocking the spread of opium. In March 1839 he becamespecial imperial commissioner in Canton, where he ordered foreign traders to abandon their stocks of opium. He restricted British merchants' access to the Canton factories and was able to cut them off from supplies. The Chief Inspector of Trade, Charles Elliot, agreed to comply with Lin's ultimatum to secure a safe exit from the opium market for British traders, and the associated costs were to be settled by arrangement between the two governments. Elliot promised that the British government would pay for the local merchants' opium stocks. Therefore, the merchants handed over their chests, which contained 20.283 kg of opium. Subsequently, these stocks were liquidated with a large crowd of people.
British performance
In September 1839, the British cabinet decided that the Chinese should be punished. The Eastern people had to pay for the destruction of British property. The expeditionary force was led by Charles Elliot and his brother in 1840. The corps was supervised by Lord Palmerston. It was in his petition to the Chinese imperial government that the British authorities did not dispute China's right to run its own opium trade, but objected to the way that trade was conducted. The Lord viewed the sudden 100-fold tightening of opium controls as a trap for foreign (primarily British) traders, and presented blocking the supply of raw opium as an unfriendly and incorrect step. To back up this petition with action, the lord instructed the expeditionarythe corps to occupy one of the nearby islands, and if the Chinese do not properly consider the demands of the British, the Chinese ports of the Yangtze and Yellow River will block the British ships. The petition stressed that British merchants should not be subjected to self-willed hostile demands from local administration in any of the Chinese empire's seaports.
Agreements
In 1841, after negotiations with Mr. Qi-Shan, who became the successor of the legendary Ling, Elliot announced the preliminary agreements reached, in which the right of the British to Hong Kong Island and its harbor was already recognized. This is how British Hong Kong was born. The flag of Great Britain flew over the old fortifications of the island, and Commander James Bremen took over the island in the name of the British crown.
Hong Kong has promised to be a valuable base for the British trading community in the province of Canton. In 1842, the transfer of the island was officially ratified and Hong Kong became a "permanent" British colony.
Colony expansion
The treaty signed by the UK and the Chinese government could not satisfy either side. In the autumn of 1856, the Chinese authorities seized a ship belonging to China, whose registered office was British Hong Kong. The consul in Canton complained to the Chinese authorities that such detention was an insult of a very serious nature. The Hong Kong government picked up this incident toadvance their own policies. In the spring of 1857, Palmerston appointed Lord Elgwin as the representative of the British side in dealing with the issue of trade and defense, and authorized him to sign a new, more profitable treaty with China. At the same time, the British decided to strengthen their position in the upcoming negotiations, and supplemented their own corps with a French expeditionary force. In 1860, the Dagu fortress was captured by joint actions and Beijing was occupied, which forced the Chinese authorities to accept British demands. In history, these confrontations were called the opium trade wars, each of which expanded the overseas territories of the British Empire and ended with the defeat of China. According to the signed agreements, the British were able to open their own ports, sail freely up the Yangtze River, they were returned the right to legally trade in opium and have their own diplomatic missions in Beijing. In addition, during the conflict, the British corps was able to occupy the Kowloon Peninsula. This plateau was of significant potential value - it was possible to build a city and a new defensive line on it.
Expansion and strengthening
Towards the end of the 19th century, colonists sought to expand British Hong Kong for defense. On this occasion, negotiations were started with the Chinese side, which led to the signing of the second Beijing Convention on June 9, 1989. Since foreign countries had already reached an agreement by that time that China's sovereignty should not be undermined and piece by pieceto tear off territories from it, British Hong Kong received a different state registration. This allowed China to “save face” in the form of nominal jurisdiction over alienated lands, and the British to actually rule Hong Kong on a leasehold basis. Hong Kong lands were leased to the British government for 99 years. In addition, 230 islands were given under the jurisdiction of Britain, which became known as the new British territories. Officially, Britain entered into temporary possession of the city of Hong Kong and the rest of the lands in 1899. It had its own rules, different from the mainland ones, courts, police and customs worked - everything that British Hong Kong could emphasize its independence. The coin of this region was in circulation throughout Southeast Asia.
War Years
Before World War II, Hong Kong led a quiet existence as one of the many British colonies that were scattered around the globe. With the outbreak of hostilities, it was decided to consolidate the military operation to protect the new British territories with the Chinese authorities. In 1941, the British signed a military agreement under which, in an attack on British Hong Kong, the Chinese National Army would attack the Japanese from the rear. This should have been done to ease enemy pressure on the British garrison. On December 8, the Battle of Hong Kong began, during which Japanese aerial bombers effectively destroyed the British air force in one attack. Two days later the Japanese broke through the linedefense in new territories. The British commander, Major General Christopher M altby, concluded that the island could not hold out for long without reinforcements, so the commander withdrew his brigade from the mainland.
On December 18, the Japanese captured Victoria Harbor. As of December 25, only small pockets of resistance remained from organized defense. M altby recommended surrender to the governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, who accepted his advice to reduce possible damage to the city and port.
Japanese invasion
The day after the invasion, Generalissimo Chiang issued an order to three Chinese corps under the command of General Yu Hanmou to deploy towards Hong Kong. The plan was to start the New Year's Day by attacking the Japanese occupying forces in the Canton region. But before the Chinese infantry could form their own line of attack, the Japanese broke Hong Kong's defenses. British losses were heavy, with 2,232 killed and 2,300 wounded. The Japanese reported that they had lost 1,996 killed and 6,000 wounded. The heavy Japanese occupation brought a lot of suffering. The city was destroyed, the population left Hong Kong. The country experienced economic and social decline, the population of the British colonies decreased by half. The Japanese imprisoned the ruling British colonial elite and sought to defeat local merchants by appointing advisory boards and overseeing their own minions. This policy has led to extensive cooperation from both the elite and theside of the middle class, with much less terror than other cities in China.
Japanese occupation
Hong Kong was transformed into a Japanese colony, with Japanese business structures prevailing to replace British ones. However, the Empire of Japan was in severe logistical difficulties, and by 1943 the food supply in Hong Kong was problematic. The government became more brutal and corrupt, and the Chinese elite became disillusioned. After the surrender of Japan, the transition back to British patronage was painless, as on the mainland the Nationalist and Communist forces prepared for civil war and ignored Hong Kong's demands and concerns. In the long term, the occupation strengthened the pre-war social and economic order among the Chinese business community, eliminating some conflicts of interest, which led to some reduction in the prestige and power of the British.
Restoring Chinese sovereignty
The infusion of American and British money quickly got the colony back on its feet. The post-war development of Hong Kong shows a gradual, and then - and rapid growth of the economy. At the end of the 80s, Hong Kong became one of the four "eastern dragons" and successfully holds its position in the present. In 1997, there was a solemn transfer of rights to Hong Kong to the government of the People's Republic of China. The British crown colony ceased to exist, and Hong Kong nominally became part of China. But the city managed to maintain its own independence and isolation from the rest. Chinese provinces. It has its own courts, developed its own rules, has its own administration and customs. Hong Kong is only part of China and is unlikely to become part of the overall administrative system in the near future.
The capital of Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a country with virtually no territory. It does not have a capital in the conventional sense of the word. We can say that the capital of Hong Kong is Hong Kong itself. At the same time, various sources indicate that the capital of Hong Kong is Victoria City. This is a prestigious area of the metropolis, in which all administrative and political buildings were concentrated during the period of British rule. After the lease expired, Victoria City became just one of the districts of Hong Kong, so the opinion that this place is the capital of Hong Kong is outdated and not entirely true.
Modern Hong Kong
The post-war rapid development of the Far East region has led to the fact that modern British Hong Kong has become one of the most dynamic and developed cities in the world. The almost complete lack of natural resources did not prevent this disputed territory from achieving the highest possible standard of living. This happened thanks to the developed legislation, perfect infrastructure and favorable geographical position.
Hong Kong has been able to find its niche in the global economy, and has become a forward in the electronics, garments, textiles and electrical industries. However, the main driver of Hong Kong's development isservices sector. The vast majority of the inhabitants of this region are employed in the financial, banking, retail and hospitality industries. Hong Kong's main partners are the US, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and the UK.
Heart of Hong Kong
The center of Hong Kong can be considered the island of Hong Kong, divided into two areas, which have a natural border in the form of a bay. There are three underground tunnels between the mainland and the island. Hong Kong's most important administrative institutions are located on the island, including the World Financial Center, the old and new buildings of the Bank of China, and the World Expo Center. Most entertainment venues. Fashion shops, ancient museums and clubs are also located on the island, so at this time it is about. Hong Kong can be considered the center of this densely populated region of Southeast Asia.
A traveler's paradise
New Hong Kong is a real paradise for lovers of entertainment and shopping. Local stores have collections of famous world brands at relatively low prices, and numerous discos, bars and clubs are open to the public around the clock. Lovers of leisurely walks and antiquity will also be satisfied - in Hong Kong there are many protected areas and parks where you can enjoy the untouched nature of the rainforest. Tourists will also like numerous museums and temples, where you can see unique exhibits collected over the millennia of Hong Kong's history, see the world's greatest Buddha statue, visit remote settlements where ancient traditions are still honored. Hikers won't stayfrustrated - despite its amazing population density, Hong Kong has been and remains one of the cleanest metropolitan areas in the world. Communication shouldn't be a problem - most Hong Kongers speak excellent English.
If you have the time and opportunity, visit this amazing island - the impressions of modern Hong Kong, surprisingly combining antiquity and modernity, will remain in your memory for a lifetime.
