Few places in the world have mixed two lifestyles and
cultures with such ease as Hong Kong. Hong Kong has undergone a journey
which would amaze everyone. History of Hong Kong helps us to understand
how Hong Kong evolved from a fishing village to a lifestyle hub.
Early Existence of Human Life
Humans have been living in Hong Kong since the dawn of civilization.
Archaeologists have discovered the remnants of two main neolithic
cultures in Hong Kong. Crass, cord-marked pottery has been found with
fine, soft, bedecked pottery. People continued evolving with time.
Qin and Han Dynasties
Between BC221 to AD220, during Qin and Han dynasties, people arrived
from Chinese mainland in Hong Kong and settled there. Their culture and
lifestyle had influence on the locals. Several objects of that period
including coins have been discovered.
Arrival of Europeans
15th century saw the arrival of the Westerners in Hong Kong. Products
like silk and tea were sent to Europe from via Silk Road. The Westerners
wanted to use Hong Kong's safe harbour. The Portuguese became the first
Europeans to reach China in 1555. However, it were the British who
became most powerful.
Opium Wars
British opium traders lived and traded in Guangzhou, then known as
Canton. They encouraged cultivation of opium and gradually the Chinese
became opium-addicted. The Chinese emperor attempted to crush the opium
trade in Canton, which brought him to the battlefield with the British.
First Opium War (1840-42) between the Chinese emperor and the British
culminated in the British occupation of Hong Kong. The Chinese miserably
failed to stop the British. They again suffered heavily in Second Opium
War (1856-1860) and the British now subjugated Kowloon peninsula. The
Chinese emperor was also forced to lease the New Territories on lease
for 99 years i.e. 1898 to 1997.
Hong Kong under British
British period saw the evolution of Hong Kong from a trading outpost to
a settlement. Ships, trains and telegraph connected it not only to the
Chinese mainland but also to all major parts of the world. Modern
education was introduced. Steam-powered tram to Victoria Peak, which was
first cable railway in Asia, was also introduced by the British.
Brief Japanese Occupation
Japanese Army subjugated the British in Hong Kong by the end of 1941.
However, after the Japanese defeat in Second World War, the British
regained the control of the island. Post-war British were totally
different from the pre-war British. Chinese expatriates were given the
right, which they were once deprived of.
Defeat of Nationalist Forces in China
Chinese communists defeated the nationalist forces in the Civil War of
China. This culminated in huge influx of refugees from mainland China to
Hong Kong. British Government of Hong Kong had to take several measures
to arrange for the refugees.
Hong Kong Becoming a Developed Territory
Hong Kong had grown as a major trading and manufacturing hub in Asia by
1960s. Infrastructure was built at furious pace. Several major reforms
were also undertaken. Hong Kong gradually became a society with modern
governing system and efficient transport in place.
Handover to China
The Chinese had expressed their wish many a time to regain control of
Hong Kong. The British lease of the New Territories was ending in 1997.
After lengthy negotiations, both parties made a joint declaration, which
paved the way to the handover of Hong Kong to China. However it was
awarded the status of specially administered territory until at least
2047, fifty years after the transfer.
