Hong Kong is in China?

Hong Kong is an East Asian city on China’s southern coast. Hong Kong covers a total area of approximately 1,064 square miles and encompasses Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, and over 200 other offshore islands. With its own currency, passport, and Olympic team, it’s easy to believe Hong Kong is a nation, but the truth isn’t so simple. Hong Kong is really a Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR). According to all official sources, Hong Kong is a province of China. However, Hong Kong functions in many respects like its own country on a daily basis.

Hong Kong is an Administrative Region of China

Contrary to popular belief, Hong Kong is not a state or country, but rather a Chinese administrative area. An Administrative Region is a country’s territorial entity. An administrative region’s authority often extends to the whole territory within its borders, which may include sections of seas and neighbouring islands. As a result, despite its own history, culture, and political system, Hong Kong is officially part of China. Hong Kong and China are intrinsically intertwined and collaborate closely to help China’s economy. Following the signing of the “Handover Treaty,” Hong Kong became a Chinese special administrative territory in 1997.

Imperial Hong Kong

Hong Kong was formerly ruled by the Baiyue, a Chinese tribe that fled to Vietnam when Emperor Qin conquered the territory in the third century BCE. Hong Kong was annexed by China after the invasion. When the Qin dynasty fell, the Hong Kong region became part of the Nanyue Kingdom. Hong Kong would eventually serve as a centre of salt manufacturing, a headquarters for the army guarding China’s coast, and a temporary court for the Song Dynasty.

Under the British Rule

The British Empire gained control of the Hong Kong territory as a result of three critical events. First, the British won the First Opium War and gained control of the region in 1841. Second, following the Second Opium War, the British were able to incorporate the Kowloon Peninsula, an area north of Hong Kong Island. Third, and most crucially, in 1898, the Chinese leased the New Territory to the empire for 99 years, ushering in British administration. Much of what Hong Kong is today may be attributed to the British Empire. Hong Kong developed become an important free port, facilitating international commerce.

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The Handover

The British opted not to prolong their stay in Hong Kong as the 99-year lease was due to expire and instead returned the area to China. In 1984, the two countries signed a Joint Declaration, with the British committing to hand over authority to China in 1997. The historic “Handover” agreement marked the end of British control. On June 30, 1997, Hong Kong was formally reunified.

Despite being a Chinese Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong retains some autonomy. The Hong Kong dollar, the territory’s currency, is tied to the US dollar. It also has a distinct government from the rest of China. The British left behind an executive-led legislative government, with the Chief Executive as the head of government.