Hong Kong’s Top 10 : Moments in History

1. 4000 BC: Early Peoples

   For
   many years, the popular version of history was that Hong Kong was a
   “barren rock” devoid of people when the British arrived. In fact,
   archaeology now shows that scattered primitive clans had settled by the
   seaside on Hong Kong Island and the New Territories six millennia ago.
   Their diet was not politically correct by today’s standards: bone
   fragments show they liked to eat dolphin.

2. AD 1127: Local Clans

   When
   marauding Mongols drive the Song dynasty emperor’s family out of the
   imperial capital of Kaifeng, one princess escapes to the walled village
   of Kam Tin in the New Territories, where she marries into the powerful
   Tang clan.

3. 1841: The British Take Hong Kong Island

   In
   a decisive move during the First Opium War between China and Britain,
   Captain Charles Elliot of the British Royal Navy lands on Hong Kong
   Island and plants the Union Jack on January 25. The 8,000-odd locals
   seem to take it in their stride, but China and Britain continue to fight
   over other Chinese trading cities. The 1842 Treaty of Nanking cedes
   Hong Kong Island to Britain.

4. 1860: Land Claim

   The
   good times are rolling in Hong Kong, where the population has now
   swelled to more than 86,000. The island is becoming cramped, however,
   and after a series of further skirmishes between Britain and China, the
   Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutter’s Island are ceded to Britain.

5. 1898: The 99-Year Lease

   Britain
   digs in, turning Hong Kong into a mighty fort. Lyemun at the eastern
   end of the island bristles with guns and the world’s first wire-guided
   torpedo. Breathing space and water supplies are assured when on July 1,
   the 99-year lease of the New Territories is signed in Peking.

6. 1941: Japanese Occupation

   Hong
   Kong has guns galore defending the sea, but the Japanese come by land.
   They have little trouble breaching the aptly named Gin Drinkers Line – a
   motley string of pillboxes. Hong Kong is surrendered two days before
   Christmas, beginning a brutal three-year occupation.

   
   

   
   
   

   Japanese soldiers captured by the British, 1945

7. 1950: Economic Miracle

   The
   territory’s economic miracle begins to unfold, as incoming refugees
   from China provide an eager workforce, and British rule keeps things on
   an even keel. Hong Kong’s transformation into a manufacturing centre
   begins.

   
   

   
   
   

   Chinese refugees at border,1950

8. 1984: Handover Agreed

   The
   Sino-British Joint Declaration is promulgated, after years of secret
   talks between Margaret Thatcher and Deng Xiaoping. Deng coins the phrase
   “one country, two systems” to quell fears.

9. 1997: Handover

   Handover
   night on 30 June is widely regarded as an anti-climax after years of
   anticipation. The media focuses on soggy Union Jacks, last governor
   Chris Patten’s tears, Prince Charles and his yacht, and Jiang Zemin’s
   triumphant toast. The following dawn sees armoured cars rolling across
   the border.

   
   

   
   
   

   Last governor, Chris Patten

10. 1998: Financial Crisis

    Asia’s
    economic “tigers” are humbled as years of living on borrowed money
    finally take their toll. Hong Kong is not as badly hit as some
    countries, but the financial crisis bites nonetheless.

Top 10 Movers and Shakers