On 1 July 1997 sovereignty over the British colony of Hong Kong will be formally transferred to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Who controlled Hong Kong before 1997?
Modern Hong Kong under British rule (1950s–1997)
Could the UK have kept Hong Kong?
No, because Hong Kong was leased to the UK. To have tried to keep it would have broken the terms of the lease and created an international incident where the UK would have been seen as an aggressor.
When did China take over control of Hong Kong?
The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, commonly known as the handover of Hong Kong (or simply the Handover, also the Return in mainland China and Hong Kong), occurred at midnight at the start of 1 July 1997, when the United Kingdom ended administration for the colony of Hong Kong and returned control of the territory to China.
What was the most important event in 1997?
Important events that occurred in 1997 includes, but are not limited to, the transition of control of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China, and the passing of Proposition 209 in California, which banned affirmative action in the state. Significant deaths that occurred in 1997 included those of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa.
What was the population of Hong Kong in 1997?
With a population of about 6.5 million people in 1997, Hong Kong constituted 97 per cent of the total population of all British Dependent Territories at the time and was one of the UK’s last significant colonial territories. The transfer is often considered to mark the definitive end of the British Empire .
Who was the chief executive of Hong Kong in 1997?
The flag was presented to Mr Patten who was then driven off in his official Rolls Royce, before the car was handed over to Tung Chee-hwa, the territory’s Chief Executive. In his farewell speech, Mr Patten said: “The story of this great city is about the years before this night and the years of success that will surely follow it.”
