21 ms·
I don't understand why the world in general is worried about Hong Kong being taken over by the Chinese. In 1842, Hong Kong was a chinese territory. It was taken
by ab_testing 6y ago
I don't understand why the world in general is worried about Hong Kong being taken over by the Chinese. In 1842, Hong Kong was a chinese territory. It was taken over by the British during the first and second opium wars and then leased out to the British for 99 years. The keyword here being leased out. If now China is wresting back control of its territory, how is that disputed. The people of Hong Kong always knew that their autonomy was only till the time when the lease ends.
Interestingly, When the union flag was raised over Possession Point on 26 January 1841, the population of Hong Kong island was about 7,450, mostly Tanka fishermen and Hakka charcoal burners living in a number of coastal villages. Today Hong Kong's population is 7.5 Million so 1000 times its original population. So every body who came later knew about the lease and the length of the autonomy.
- spacehunt 6y agoThe key detail you missed is One Country Two Systems, which is what allowed Hong Kong to have a financial system integrated with the Western world's, and a legal system that works more or less the same as in London and New York.
- PunchTornado 6y agoonly part of HK was leased for 99 years. the main island was taken over permanently after the war.