|
| |
A BRIEF BACKGROUND - THE INTERNATIONAL CITY OF HONG KONG WAS JUST A COLLECTION OF FISHING VILLAGES WHEN CLAIMED BY ENGLAND IN 1842 FOLLOWING THE FIRST OPIUM WAR WITH CHINA. THIS FAILED ATTEMPT BY THE CHING DYNASTY TO STOP THE VERY PROFITABLE BRITISH TRADING IN OPIUM LED TO HONG KONG BEING GIVEN TO BRITAIN UNDER THE TREATY OF NANKING THAT YEAR. THE KOWLOON PENINSULA WAS HANDED OVER IN 1860 AND A 99 YEAR LEASE ON THE NEW TERRITORIES COMPROMISING THE AREA NORTH OF KOWLOON UP TO THE SHENZHEN RIVER PLUS 235 OUTLYING ISLANDS WAS GRANTED IN 1898.
EVEN TODAY THE BRITISH INFLUENCE IS PRESENT IN HONG KONG. THERE ARE MANY BUILDINGS THAT WERE CONSTRUCTED DURING THE TIME OF BRITISH COLONIAL RULE THAT ARE STILL IN USE TODAY. THE FAMOUS VICTORIA'S PEAK WAS NAMED BY THE BRITISH AFTER QUEEN VICTORIA. POLITICALLY AND SOCIALLY, THERE ARE MANY OTHER REMINDERS OF THE ENGLISH PRESENCE.
UNDER THE CHINESE IDEA OF ONE COUNTRY,TWO SYSTEMS HONG KONG WAS RETURNED TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY ON JULY 1, 1997 AS A SAR-SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. THIS ARRANGEMENT ALLOWS HONG KONG TO ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, RETAINING IT'S CAPITALIST SYSTEM, INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND RULE OF LAW, FREE TRADE AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CAME TO THE REALIZATION THAT EVEN UNDER CHINESE CONTROL- HONG KONG MUST HAVE AN INDEPENDENT IDENTITY FROM THE MAINLAND BASED ON WESTERN IDEALS OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS. A VERY WISE CHOICE.
CLICK HERE TO READ MY BLOG OF TRAVELS OUTSIDE CHINA -http://rob-asia.blogspot.com/
|
|
CLICK BELOW
