Hong Kong

Britain occupied the island of Hong Kong on January 25, 1841, during the First Opium War, using it as a military staging point.

Hong Kong Island was ceded to the United Kingdom after the First Opium War in 1842.

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.

The first gas company in Hong Kong opened in 1862, marking a significant development in the city's infrastructure.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank opened in 1865, laying the foundation for Hong Kong's future as a financial center.

In 1872, the Tung Wah Hospital was established in Hong Kong by the Chinese community to provide medical care. The hospital's Board of Governors later played a significant leadership role in the community.

In 1879, Ulysses S. Grant visited Hong Kong during his global voyage. His official welcome brought together prominent figures like Col. John Mosby and Hong Kong Gov. Sir John Pope-Hennessy, showcasing the colonial society's admiration for the former Union army commander.

The Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese was founded in 1887 by the London Missionary Society, with Sun Yat-sen being one of its early graduates.

The first electric company in Hong Kong was established in 1890, contributing to the modernization of the city.

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

In April 1899, residents of Kam Tin rebelled against the colonial government, defending themselves in Kat Hing Wai, a walled village.

Ying Wa Girls' School was founded in 1900 by the London Missionary Society in Mid-levels, Hong Kong.

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.

The outbreak of World War I in 1914 led to an exodus of Chinese residents from Hong Kong, although the colony did not see direct military action during the war.

In the 1920s, Hong Kong experienced increasing turmoil from China, leading to a general strike in 1925. This event highlighted the social and political tensions in the region during that period.

During the early 1930s, Hong Kong served as a temporary base for Vietnamese revolutionaries like Ho Chi Minh. This period marked a significant chapter in the history of anti-colonial movements in Asia.

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.

In 1941, Japan occupied Hong Kong during World War II, leading to food shortages and a significant drop in the population.

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.

Around 1950, a garment factory was established in Hong Kong, contributing to the growth of the textile industry in the region.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong was founded in 1963, offering a new academic institution for higher education in Hong Kong. This university played a significant role in the development of education in the region.

In 1965, a notable building was constructed in Hong Kong, reflecting the architectural development of the time.

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 1973, the Hong Kong stock market collapsed due to various factors including the aftermath of the riots during the Cultural Revolution.

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.

On October 27, 1984, the Hong Kong Accord was signed, marking a significant agreement related to the future of Hong Kong.

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.

On April 4, 1990, the Hong Kong Basic Law was officially accepted as the mini-constitution of the Hong Kong SAR after the handover. It was welcomed by the pro-Beijing bloc but criticized by the pro-democratic bloc for not being democratic enough.

In July 1992, Chris Patten was appointed as the last British Governor of Hong Kong. He introduced democratic reforms that increased the number of elected members in the Legislative Council, leading to strained relations with the PRC government.

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.

Pro-democracy activists held a candlelight vigil at a downtown Hong Kong park, shouting slogans against the Article 23 bill.

Tens of thousands of people marched to Hong Kong government headquarters to protest the government's plans to enact an anti-subversion bill that critics feared would curtail civil liberties.

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

In 2007, Hong Kong was officially handed over to China from British colonial rule.

In 2012, Hong Kong faced a controversy over the proposed mandatory subject of moral and national education in public schools. The curriculum sparked mass protests as critics viewed it as an attempt to promote pro-mainland propaganda.

Occupy Central with Love and Peace (OCLP) was a civil disobedience campaign in Hong Kong aimed at pressuring the PRC Government to reform the systems for election of the Hong Kong Chief Executive and Legislative Council. It called for occupation of the central business district if reforms were not made.

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.

Protesters in Hong Kong confronted riot police while waving a U.S. flag.

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.

Hong Kong initiated a free mass vaccination program with Sinovac and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to counter vaccine hesitancy and accelerate vaccinations.

Former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, also known as 'Long Hair,' shows a victory sign as pro-democracy activists are escorted by officers to a prison van in Hong Kong.

The National People's Congress passed a decision to rewrite the election rules in Hong Kong, ensuring a system of 'patriots governing Hong Kong' and requiring prior approval for electoral candidates.

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.

During the 2023 roundtable, Jerome A. Cohen and Caoilfhionn Gallagher discussed the broad reaching consequences of the trial of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. This trial highlighted the challenges to freedom of speech and political dissent in the region.

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

Hong Kong stocks show positive gains in the Asian market, while the developer Vanke experiences a decline.

Beneath the surface calmness, Hong Kong's new security law is causing significant but subtle changes in the region.

The United States is cautious in its reaction to Hong Kong's implementation of a new national security law.

A fire incident occurred in a 16-story residential building in Hong Kong, resulting in the death of at least 5 people and injuring dozens.

In the final Olympic sevens qualifying event, Hong Kong's men's team was drawn to compete against Spain.

There are concerns that the Hong Kong leader may not be recognizing the true value of abandoned fish ponds at a technopole site.

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.