[ad_1]
Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of Hong Kong's transition from British rule to Chinese rule. Here's what you need to know about the history of the retrocession and what might be in store for this important territory of southern China.
The Story
After the 1800s opium wars, Britain took control of the island of Hong Kong and the neighboring Kowloon Peninsula. Shortly after, the British Empire also took over an additional area known as New Territories in a 99-year lease that would expire in 1997.
Under British rule, Hong Kong flourished, passing from a fishing village to a coastal metropolis and a world center for trade. As the lease for the New Territories came to an end, China and Britain began a negotiation process for the surrender of the three lands.
Kimimasa Mayama / Poolv via AFP / Getty Images , FILE Finally, it was decided that Hong Kong would be governed for the next 50 years as a special administrative region according to the "one country, two systems" principle, allowing the territory to maintain levels of autonomy similar to He knew under British rule.
Delivery
On the night of June 30, 1997, shortly before midnight, the British flag of the Union Jack was lowered for the last time at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center at Wan Chai . Moments later, the Chinese flag and the flag of Hong Kong SAR were raised while the Chinese national anthem, "March of Volunteers", was played in the background. In Beijing, fireworks were held in Tiananmen Square.
For the Chinese government, after 156 years of British rule, Hong Kong had returned home.
Kimimasa Mayama / AFP / Getty Images, Fil Hong Kong today
With its own currency, its system of governance and its mini-Constitution known as the "Basic Law", life in Hong Kong has marked differences from continental life. of Hong Kong's identity.
Hong Kong remains the only place on Chinese soil to hold an annual vigil to commemorate Beijing's crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, which is banned from discussion on the mainland.
In 2014, pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of the so-called Umbrella Movement about Beijing's interference in local elections, occupying the streets of Hong Kong for 79 days.
Anthony Wallace / AFP / Getty Images, Fil And every year, on the occasion of the anniversary of retrocession, protesters parade through the streets to express their opinions on a multitude of topics.
However, the signs of Beijing's encroaching influence are obvious. Although Cantonese remains the most widely spoken Chinese dialect, Mandarin is increasingly spoken. More than 1.5 million Chinese mainlanders have immigrated to Hong Kong since 1997 and now account for 20% of the population.
A controversial high-speed rail link is being built directly connecting Hong Kong's downtown core with the mainland as well as a new bridge linking Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland city of Zhuhai, which is expected to open this summer.
Chen Xianyao / VCG via Getty Images, FILE Some worry that Hong Kong will become another Chinese city. Where once Hong Kong was considered one of the most developed cities in China, rapid modernization elsewhere has led to competition from neighboring cities. The economy of the neighboring city of Shenzhen, home to China's tech giant Tencent and the dronemaker DJI, has recently exploded, surpassing Hong Kong both in terms of population growth and economic growth.
In recent years, Hong Kong residents have become increasingly polarized: one supports rapprochements with Beijing while the other defends democracy and supports greater autonomy.
With the approach of 2047, when the 50 years of semi-autonomy promised in Beijing for Hong Kong will end, the nerves begin to shake, especially among younger generations. A survey conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that over 45% of respondents aged 18 to 35 want to emigrate from Hong Kong, citing political tensions as the main reason. Until then, the future of Hong Kong will continue to be the subject of heated debate.
Source link
