Hong Kong

In 1842, Hong Kong became a British colony after the signing of the Treaty of Nanking, marking the establishment of Colonial Hong Kong.

The Treaty of Nanking was signed on August 29, 1842, following the First Opium War, where China was forced to cede Hong Kong to Britain.

Following the discovery of gold in California in 1849, Hong Kong became a hub for Chinese emigrants from Guangdong Province seeking opportunities in the United States. This influx of emigrants contributed to the economic growth of Hong Kong.

In 1860, the Qing dynasty ceded Kowloon, a mountainous region opposite Hong Kong Island, to Britain after the second Opium War. This expansion of the colony came after the imperial court's retreat from Beijing and the destruction of the Summer Palace.

In June 1898, Hong Kong leased the New Territories from China for 99 years.

The Chinese Revolution of 1911 overthrew the Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China, leading to political changes in Hong Kong.

The establishment of the Republic of China in 1912 marked a new era in Chinese history and had implications for Hong Kong as it became a refuge for Chinese exiles.

During China's war with Japan in 1937, Hong Kong provided asylum for hundreds of thousands of Chinese people displaced by the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

After Japan's surrender in 1945, the British regained control of Hong Kong, marking the end of Japanese occupation.

In 1949, the People's Republic of China was established, leading to limited contact with the West. Diplomats, scholars, and journalists in Hong Kong utilized various sources to observe and analyze China's activities.

The 1967 riot in Hong Kong was a period of chaos and violence, with streets filled with home-made bombs. Bomb disposal experts from the police and British military defused thousands of bombs, highlighting the tense political atmosphere during that time.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon visited China, marking a significant event in U.S.-China relations. This visit eventually led to the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the United States and Beijing in 1979.

In 1974, Murray McLehose founded the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong to combat widespread corruption within the police force. Despite initial opposition, the ICAC played a crucial role in making Hong Kong one of the least corrupt societies in the world.

In 1979, the United States established full diplomatic relations with Beijing, further impacting the dynamics of international relations. This event also contributed to the decline of Hong Kong's role as a 'China-watching' post.

In 1982, the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed after discussions between British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. This agreement proposed the 'One country, two systems' concept for Hong Kong, recognizing its unique status and paving the way for the eventual handover to China.

In 1984, China and Britain signed the Joint Declaration which pronounced Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of China. The agreement outlined the 'one country, two systems' policy and promised Hong Kong's autonomy in terms of economy and legal system until 2047.

The 'Territory of Hong Kong' map from 1993 provides detailed information about the complete territory of Hong Kong.

In 1997, Hong Kong was handed over from British colonial rule to Chinese sovereignty.

At midnight on June 30, 1997, China took back the territory of Hong Kong from Great Britain as a 'Special Administrative Region' with a promise to maintain its economic and social system for the next 50 years.

On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was officially handed over from British colonial rule to the People's Republic of China under the principle of 'one country, two systems.' This marked a significant shift in Hong Kong's governance and autonomy.

In 1997, Hong Kong was handed over to Chinese rule in a ceremony attended by Prince Charles and Chinese President Jiang Zemin. This event marked the end of British colonial rule in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established on July 1, 1998, under the 'one country, two systems' principle.

The Handover of Hong Kong was the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, marking the end of British rule in the territory.

Protesters burned a Japanese naval flag symbolizing war-time Japan with a picture of former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo to remember the Nanjing Massacre.

Riot police launched tear gas into the crowd as thousands of protesters surrounded the government headquarters in Hong Kong.

Pro-democracy protesters display a yellow banner demanding genuine universal suffrage at a rally in Admiralty, Hong Kong.

In November 2014, pro-democracy protesters set up tents in an occupied area outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong's Admiralty district.

People attended a candlelight vigil at Victoria Park in Hong Kong, marking the 1989 student-led Tiananmen Square protests.

The election saw localists emerging as a new political force in Hong Kong, winning six seats in geographical constituencies. However, six candidates were barred due to their association with the Hong Kong independence movement.

A protester raised an umbrella and placard demanding genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong on March 26, 2017, during the chief executive election.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland, was completed and seen against the sunset in Hong Kong.

Protesters took to the streets in Hong Kong on June 16, 2019, to demonstrate against an extradition bill.

Riot police fired tear gas during a protest against the extradition bill in Hong Kong.

Demonstrators in Hong Kong waved British flags during a rally outside the British Consulate.

Riot police stood watch on pro-democracy protesters during a rally in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 23 January 2020, part of the global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Cases were treated at Princess Margaret Hospital's Infectious Disease Centre.

Protesters in Hong Kong marched against the new national security law, gesturing with five fingers to signify the 'Five demands - not one less' on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain.

The pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily announced its final edition and cessation of activities after top executives were arrested under the national security law and the tabloid's assets were frozen. Founder Jimmy Lai is already imprisoned awaiting trial on subversion charges.

Former security chief John Lee becomes the chief executive of Hong Kong after a controversial election where he was the only candidate. He is facing international criticism for his role in human rights violations in the region.

Beijing has tightened its grip on Hong Kong, dimming hopes for the financial center to become a full democracy.

Speculation surrounds the future of Hong Kong post-2047, with possibilities ranging from full integration into China to continued separate administration, sparking debates on the city's autonomy and governance.