Was the British Empire good for Hong Kong?

Control of Hong Kong Island gave the British Empire better access to Chinese trade. Eager for even more, it renewed fighting with China in 1856 and sparked the Second Opium War (which the French Empire also joined).

How was Hong Kong like under British rule?

British rule in Hong Kong was not a utopia to be glorified and looked back upon. The city was rich, but harsh, in an ironic twist being far more heavy-handed and brutal than its current existence, thus overwhelmingly distant from what young people today, having never lived through it, envision it to be.

What is the relationship between Hong Kong and Britain?

Both Hong Kong and the UK are full members of FATF and World Trade Organization, and are bilateral participants on air services agreement (since July 1997), Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (since April 1999), Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (since 2002), Surrender of Fugitive Offenders and Transfer of …

Why were the British interested in colonizing Hong Kong?

In 1839, Britain invaded China to crush opposition to its interference in the country’s economic and political affairs. One of Britain’s first acts of the war was to occupy Hong Kong, a sparsely inhabited island off the coast of southeast China.

Does UK own Hong Kong?

Britain’s new colony flourished, and in 1898 Britain was given an additional 99 years of rule over Hong Kong under a special convention. This kept Hong Kong under British rule until 1997. Hong Kong now has its own legal system and borders, and free speech and freedom of the press are protected.

How long Hong Kong was a British colony?

Hong Kong–a small peninsula and group of islands jutting out from China’s Kwangtung province–was leased by China to Great Britain in 1898 for 99 years. In 1839, in the First Opium War, Britain invaded China to crush opposition to its interference in the country’s economic, social, and political affairs.

How long was Hong Kong a British colony?

How did the British treat the Chinese in Hong Kong?

From 1841–1949, the British were not very nice with their colonial rule in Hong Kong. The British bullied the Chinese and regarded them as inferior. Anyone was British living in Hong Kong was treated as first class citizens while the Chinese was second class. From 1949–1997, the British bent over backwards towards the Chinese.

What is it like to live in Hong Kong under British rule?

British rule in Hong Kong was not a utopia to be glorified and looked back upon. The city was rich, but harsh, in an ironic twist being far more heavy-handed and brutal than its current existence, thus overwhelmingly distant from what young people today, having never lived through it, envision it to be.

What was Hong Kong when it was governed as a colony?

British Hong Kong was Hong Kong when it was governed as a colony and British Dependent Territory of the United Kingdom.

What was Hong Kong politics like in the past?

Politically HK was totally exclusive to the British and the few elites. There was no election of any kind for the legislative and executive Council, supreme court jusges were appointed from British. Influence groups were also following the British traditions like the Rotary club, Lions club and other professional guilds.