The history of Hong Kong

The history of Hong Kong

There is evidence that the area surrounding Hong Kong has an extended prehistory dating as far back as 30,000 years. However it wasn't until 221BC that the area was incorporated into Imperial China under the Qin Dynasty. Hong Kong remained under Chinese rule until the first half of the 19th century.

Following the Opium Wars with the United Kingdom in 1842 Hong Kong was given over to the British Empire. During the initial period of British rule Hong Kong underwent a transformation and modernisation. Electricity and gas along with buses, ferries, trams and an airline were all introduced.

During the first half of the 1940s Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese, who invaded eight hours after their attack on Pearl Harbor. By the end of the war in 1945 Hong Kong was liberated by British and Chinese troops.

Following the war Hong Kong underwent massive economic growth. During the 1970s corruption was all but wiped out from its police force and the state became one of the least corrupt societies in the world. During the eighties Hong Kong cinema exploded onto the international scene on the back of the success of stars such as Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat.

In 1997 Hong Kong was officially handed back to China by the United Kingdom. Despite now being under Chinese rule many things still remain the same. English is still taught in schools, flight borders to mainland China are still considered an international crossing, electrical plugs are the same and cars continue to drive on the left.

The Hong Kong of today is a thriving metropolis and is the world's most vertical city. Hong Kong has 7,650 skyscrapers and the most number of people living and working above the 14th floor.

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