Today In History: Hong Kong Is Returned to China

On July 1st, 1997, the British crown colony of Hong Kong, located east of the Pearl River on China's south coast, was officially returned to China after 156 years of rule by the United Kingdom. Its natural harbor and lucrative Chinese trade, especially in opium during the first half of the nineteenth century, formed the basis of sustained commercial growth. Apart from Japanese occupation during World War II, the colonial period of occupation began in 1841 during the First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War -- caused by the Chinese seizure of private opium stocks in Canton to stop the illegal trade. The first missionaries to Hong Kong visited in 1853, but efforts were difficult due to internal problems and differing practices in China.

During the 1700's, the demand for Chinese fine, luxury goods, including silk, porcelain, and tea, allowed for the overflow of European money through Canton -- influencing the British East India Company to sell opium in Bengal to Chinese smugglers for illegal sale in China.

On December 19, 1984, China and Britain signed a declaration for the entire territory of Hong Kong to be restored to Chinese sovereignty. The majority of inhabitants are Chinese by origin, while Chinese (Cantonese) and English are both official languages. Originally sparsely populated by people living in farming and fishing villages, Hong Kong's population today is roughly 7.4 million. Highly developed, Hong Kong is one of the world's most significant financial centers and commercial ports, and it boasts the largest number of skyscrapers.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Wren, C. S. (1984, Jan 18). A Hong Kong Plan Detailed By China: Aide Says 'Time Is Ripe' For An Accord On Colony's Future: China Gives Details Of a Plan For Hong Kong. New York Times (1923-)

• Lee, D. Lee (1984, Sep 20). Agreement Reached on Hong Kong: Britain, China Finish Draft On Colony's Future Accord Reached On Hong Kong's Future. The Washington Post (1974-)

• Baum, J. (1984, Dec 20). Hong Kong Settlement Set in Ink. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-)

• D. D. (1985, Nov 10). Foreign Devils: A History Of the China Trade. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995)

• Crowell, T. (1995, Nov 28). Shrinking Hong Kong Harbor Brings China and 1997 Closer: The Need For More Space Has Launched an Unrivaled Land-Reclamation Project. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-)

• Eliason, M. (1996, Jul 09). Hong Kong Fears Not Shared By Rural Residents: China Takes Over In June '97. Philadelphia Tribune (1912-)

• Sly L. (1997, Jun 18). Hong Kong's Pulse Monitored By Many: A Plethora Of Pollsters Find Hope, Anxiety. Chicago Tribune (1997-)

• A Mood Of Expectancy, Anxiety and Celebration: Last Day Of Colonial Rule Is a Typical Hong Kong Mix. (1997, Jun 30). Chicago Tribune (1997-)

• Gargan, E.A. (1997, Jul 02). A New Leader Outlines His Vision For Hong Kong. New York Times (1923-)

• Leicester, J. (1997, Jul 15). In Hong Kong, It Was 'Just a Normal Day'. Philadelphia Tribune (1912-)

• Gittings, J. (2000, Aug 05). Lost Souls. The Guardian (1959-2003)

Tips:

• Hayes, James. The Great Difference Hong Kong’s New Territories and Its People, 1898-2004. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2006. e-book

• Ku, Agnes S. M., and Ngai Pun. Remaking Citizenship in Hong Kong: Community, Nation, and the Global City. London: Routledge, 2004. e-book

• Lee, Pui-tak. Colonial Hong Kong and Modern China Interaction and Reintegration. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2005. e-book

• Sinn, Elizabeth. Pacific Crossing California Gold, Chinese Migration, and the Making of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2013. e-book

• Wu, Helena Y. W. The Hangover after the Handover: Things, Places and Cultural Icons in Hong Kong. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2021. e-book

Images:

• Victoria Market, Hong Kong, 1911, Rothman Lantern Slide Collection, Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University

• Special News Slide, Courtesy of Gottesman Libraries (forthcoming)

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