British Hong Kong - history. Former British colonies

British Hong Kong is a public entity, claimed by China and the United Kingdom. The complex system of international treaties has made this peninsula practically independent from both countries, and liberal tax laws have allowed this state to become one of the most rapidly developing regions of the world.

Prehistory

The history of Hong Kong begins about 30,000 years ago. According to archaeologists, this is one of the most famous corners of the earth, where traces of the activities of ancient people were discovered. For a long time this territory was undividedly owned by China. During the reign of the Tang Dynasty, the region was known as an international trade center. Known Hong Kong was, as a major salt producer, a naval port, a smuggling center.

The beginning of the opium war

In 1836, the Chinese government conducted a serious review of the policy of selling opium raw. Lin agreed to take on the task of blocking the spread of opium. In March 1839, he became a special imperial commissioner in Canton, where he ordered foreign traders to abandon their stocks of opium. He restricted British traders access to the factories of Canton and was able to cut them off from supplies. The Chief Commercial Inspector, Charles Elliot, agreed to carry out Lin's ultimatum to ensure a safe exit from the opium market for British traders, and the costs involved had to be resolved through arrangements between the two governments. Elliot promised that the British government would pay for the opium supplies of local merchants. Therefore, the merchants surrendered their chests, in which there were 20,283 kg of opium. Subsequently, these stocks were eliminated with a large crowd of people.

Speech by the British

In September 1839, the British Cabinet decided that the Chinese should be punished. The Oriental people had to pay for the destruction of British property. The expeditionary corps was headed by Charles Elliott and his brother in 1840. Lord Palmerston supervised the corps. It was in his petition to the Chinese imperial government that the British authorities did not dispute China's right to make its own opium trade, but objected to the ways in which this trade is conducted. The Lord considered the sudden multiple hundredfold tightening of control over opium, as a trap for foreign traders (primarily for British), and blocking the supply of opium raw materials presented as an unfriendly and incorrect step. To support this petition by action, the lord instructed the expeditionary corps to occupy one of the nearby islands, and if the Chinese do not properly consider the demands of the British, the Chinese ports of the Yangtze and the Yellow River will block the ships of the English. It was stressed in the petition that British traders should not surrender to the unauthorized requirements of the local administration in any of the seaports of the Chinese empire.

Arrangements

In 1841, after talks with Mr. Qi-Shan, who became the successor of the legendary Lin, Elliot announced the preliminary agreements reached, which already recognized the right of the British to the island of Hong Kong and its harbor. Thus was born the British Hong Kong. The flag of Great Britain swept over the old fortifications of the island, and Commander James Bremen took the island in control on behalf of the British crown. Hong Kong promised to become a valuable base for the British trading community in the province of Canton. In 1842, the transfer of the island was officially ratified, and Hong Kong "forever" became a British colony.

Expansion of the colony

The treaty signed by Great Britain and the Chinese government could not satisfy either side. In the autumn of 1856, the Chinese authorities detained a ship belonging to China, where the British Hong Kong was registered. The Consul in Canton appealed to the Chinese authorities with the assertion that such detention is an offense of a very serious nature. The Hong Kong administration picked up this incident to advance its own policy. In the spring of 1857, Palmerston appointed Lord Eldzhwin to represent the British side in the matter of trade and defense, and authorized him to sign a new, more advantageous treaty with China. At the same time, the British decided to strengthen their positions in the upcoming talks, and added their own corps to the French expeditionary force. In 1860, the Dagh fortress was captured and Beijing occupied, which forced the Chinese authorities to accept British demands. In history, these confrontations were called opium trade wars, each of which expanded the overseas territories of the British Empire and ended in the defeat of China. According to the signed agreements, the British were able to open their own ports, walk unimpeded up the Yangtze River, they were given the right to legally trade in opium and have their own diplomatic representative offices in Beijing. In addition, during the conflict, the British corps was able to occupy the Kowloon Peninsula. This plateau represented a significant potential value - it could build a city and a new defensive line.

Expanding and strengthening

By the end of the 19th century the colonists sought to expand British Hong Kong for defense. On this occasion, negotiations with the Chinese side were started, which led to the signing of the second Beijing Convention on June 9, 1989. Since foreign states had already reached an agreement that it is impossible to undermine China's sovereignty and piece by piece to divorce territory from it, British Hong Kong received a different state registration. This allowed China to "save face" in the form of nominal jurisdiction over alienated lands, and the British to actually rule Hong Kong on a leasehold basis. The land of Hong kong was leased to the British government for 99 years. In addition, under the jurisdiction of Britain were given 230 islands, which became known as the new British territories. Officially, Britain entered the provisional possession of Hong Kong and the rest of the lands in 1899. Here own rules differed from the mainland, courts, police and customs worked - everything that British Hong Kong could emphasize its independence. The coin of this region was circulated throughout southeast Asia.

Years of War

Prior to World War II, Hong Kong led the peaceful existence of one of the many British colonies that were scattered around the globe. With the outbreak of hostilities, it was decided to consolidate the military operation to protect the new British territories with the Chinese authorities. In 1941, the British signed a military agreement, according to which in the attack on British Hong Kong, the Chinese National Army will attack the Japanese from the rear. This should be done to reduce the pressure of the enemy on the British garrison. On December 8, a battle began in Hong Kong, during which Japanese air bombers actually destroyed the British air force in one attack. Two days later, the Japanese broke through the line of defense in the new territories. The British commander, Major-General Christopher Maltby concluded that the island could not last long without reinforcements, so the commander withdrew his brigade from the mainland. December 18, the Japanese seized the harbor Victoria. As of December 25, only small centers of resistance remained from organized defense. Maltby recommended surrendering to the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, who took his advice to reduce the possible destruction of the city and port.

Invasion of the Japanese

The day after the invasion, Generalissimo Chang issued an order to three Chinese corps under the command of General Yu. Hanmou to turn towards Hong Kong. The plan was to start the New Year's Day with an attack on the Japanese occupation forces in the Canton region. But even before the Chinese infantry was able to build its own line of attack, the Japanese broke the defense of Hong Kong. The British losses were weighty: 2,232 soldiers were killed and 2,300 injured. The Japanese reported that they lost 1996 killed and 6000 wounded. The heavy Japanese occupation brought a lot of suffering. The city was destroyed, the population left Hong Kong. The country experienced an economic and social decline, the population of the British colonies decreased by half. The Japanese sent the ruling British colonial elite to prison and sought to defeat local traders by appointing advisors and monitoring their own henchmen. This policy led to broad cooperation on the part of both the elite and the middle class, with much less terror than in other cities in China.

The Japanese occupation

Hong Kong was transformed into a Japanese colony, with the prevalence of Japanese business structures that replaced the British. Nevertheless, the Japanese Empire had serious logistical difficulties, and by 1943 the supply of food in Hong Kong was problematic. The government became more brutal and corrupt, and the Chinese elite became disillusioned. After Japan's surrender, the transition back to British patronage was painless, as on the mainland nationalist and communist forces were preparing for a civil war and ignoring Hong Kong's demands and problems. In the long term, the occupation strengthened pre-war social and economic order among the Chinese business community, eliminating some conflicts of interest, which resulted in a slight decline in the prestige and power of the British.

Restoring Chinese Sovereignty

The infusion of American and British money quickly put the colony on its feet. Post-war development of Hong Kong shows a gradual, and then - and rapid economic growth. In the late 80's, Hong Kong became one of the four "eastern dragons" and successfully retains its position in the present tense. In 1997, there was a solemn transfer of rights to Hong Kong to the government of the People's Republic of China. The British Crown Colony ceased to exist, and Hong Kong nominally became part of China. But the city managed to maintain its independence and isolation from other Chinese provinces. It operates its own courts, developed its own rules, has its own administration and customs. Hong Kong - China is only partly, and it is unlikely that it will become part of the overall administrative system in the near future.

The capital of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a country with practically no territory. It does not have a capital in the generally accepted sense of the word. We can say that the capital of Hong Kong is Hong Kong itself. At the same time, various sources indicate that the capital of Hong Kong is Victoria City. It is a prestigious metropolitan area, in which all administrative and political buildings were concentrated during the period of British rule. After the expiration of the lease, Victoria City has become just one of the districts of Hong Kong, so the view that this place is the capital of Hong Kong is outdated and not quite right.

Modern Hong Kong

The post-war rapid development of the Far Eastern region led to the fact that modern British Hong Kong has become one of the most dynamic and developed cities in the world. The almost complete absence of natural resources did not prevent this disputed territory from reaching the highest possible standard of living. This was due to the developed legislation, perfect infrastructure and favorable geographic location.

Hong Kong was able to find its niche in the global economy, and became a striker in the electronic, clothing, textile and electrical industries. However, the main engine for the development of Hong Kong is the service sector. The overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of this region are engaged in financial, banking, retail and hotel industries. The main partners of Hong Kong are the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Heart of Hong Kong

The center of Hong Kong can be considered the island of Hong Kong, divided into two districts, which have a natural border in the form of a bay. Between the mainland and the island are laid three underground tunnels. On the island are the most important administrative institutions of Hong Kong, including the world financial center, the old and new buildings of the Bank of China, the world's exhibition center. Most entertainment venues. Fashion shops, ancient museums and clubs are also located on the island, so at this time it is about. Hong Kong can be considered the center of this densely populated region of Southeast Asia.

Paradise for the traveler

New Hong Kong - a real paradise for fans of entertainment and shopping. In local stores there are collections of famous brands at relatively low prices, and numerous discos, bars and clubs are open for visits around the clock. Lovers of leisurely walks and antiquities will also be satisfied - in Hong Kong there are many protected areas and parks where you can enjoy the untouched nature of the rainforest. Many tourists will also like museums and temples, where you can view unique exhibits collected over the millennia of the history of Hong Kong, see the world's greatest statue of Buddha, visit remote settlements where ancient traditions are still respected. Fans of hiking will not be disappointed - despite the amazing density of the population, Hong Kong has been and remains one of the cleanest megacities in the world. With communication, there should not be any problems - most Hong Kong residents perfectly speak English.

If you have the time and opportunity - visit this amazing island - the impressions of modern Hong Kong, surprisingly combining antiquity and modernity, will remain in your memory for life.