China a to Z by May-lee Chai

Author:May-lee Chai
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2014-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

Hong Kong

For most of the twentieth century, until 1997, Hong Kong was a colony of the British Empire. Hong Kong was originally ceded to Great Britain in 1842, after the Opium War, when the British used their superior military might to force the Qing dynasty–led government to open up China’s ports to British traders. (It is called the Opium War because one of the products the British were most interested in selling to China was opium, which they then proceeded to dump on the Chinese market. After tens of thousands of addicts developed, they naturally raised the price.) Kowloon, the part of Hong Kong that is attached to mainland China, was annexed in 1860, and the New Territories, also on the mainland, were leased from China to Britain in 1898 for ninety-nine years. (For three years and eight months during World War II, Hong Kong was under Japanese control but was returned to Great Britain in 1945 after Japan was defeated by the Allies.)

When the New Territories’ lease expired in 1997, all of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Island, better known as “Central” after its business district, as well as Kowloon and the New Territories) was returned to China under an agreement called “one country, two systems.” That policy meant China would permit Hong Kong to continue its political and economic autonomy for fifty years. Thus, Hong Kong—capitalist haven—became part of the People’s Republic of China.

Although Hong Kong is relatively small compared to China—measuring roughly 423 square miles with a total population of some 7 million residents—it became an economic powerhouse in the twentieth century, known as one of the “four tigers” of East Asia. Its population enjoyed the highest standard of living in Asia, second only to Japan’s.

While much of Hong Kong’s reputation has focused on its central position as a great place to shop, Hong Kong culture is rich, diverse, and one of the most exciting in the world. Hong Kong filmmakers such as Wong Kar-wai (director of such acclaimed films as Days of Being Wild, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love, and 2046), John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, Face/Off, Windtalkers, Mission: Impossible II), Stanley Kwan (Rouge, Centre Stage), Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle), Mabel Cheung (The Soong Sisters), Ann Hui (Boat People, A Simple Life), and many others have proven that they can compete artistically and commercially with the rest of the cinéaste world with art-house dramas and action-packed movies.

Hong Kong actors, artists, singers, designers, doctors, scientists, and academics have all made their mark not only in Asia but the world. And Hong Kong’s unique blending of Chinese and Western culture is now cited as a model for development for most of China’s major cities. (In fact, Hong Kong is a blend of world cultures, as its residents and businesspeople include people from every continent.)

Hong Kong people also enjoy considerable freedoms denied their mainland counterparts. The Falun Gong religion is not banned in Hong Kong, under the “one country, two systems” rules, and all residents can practice any religion they choose—or none at all—without registering with the government.

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