The refusal of the Chinese Qing authorities to support opium imports caused the outbreak of the First Opium War between the British Empire and the Qing Empire in 1839. Qing's defeat resulted in the occupation of Hong Kong Island by British forces on January 20, 1841.
The picture below shows East India Company iron steam ship Nemesis, commanded by Lieutenant W. H. Hall, with boats from the Sulphur, Calliope, Larne and Starling, destroying the Chinese war junks in Anson's Bay, on January 7, 1841.
Britain and China signed the Treaty of Nanking, an "unequal treaty" to end the First Opium War, on August 29, 1842. The island that is now the site of Hong Kong was ceded to Britain. The cession of Hong Kong to Britain had long-lasting effects, shaping the region's history and development until its eventual return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
The Hong Kong Police Force may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of this bustling metropolis, but it has a fascinating history. Established on May 1, 1844, it was the second modern police force in the world and the first in Asia. Its founding was a response to the rapid growth of the British colony of Hong Kong, which had become a key trading hub in the region.
When China leased to Britain the New Territories of Hong Kong in 1898, British diplomat Claude MacDonald secured a 99-year lease only because he thought "it was good as forever." Britain did not think they would ever have to give the territories back.
The Japanese Empire attacked Hong Kong on the same morning as Pearl Harbor, only four hours after the attack, which led to the Battle of Hong Kong. After 18 days of fierce fighting against the overwhelming Japanese forces, the British Empire surrendered on December 25, 1941, a day which would be later referred to as Black Christmas. The occupation lasted for three years and eight months until Japan surrendered at the end of World War II.
The MTR, the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong, opened on October 1, 1979. The first trains from Shek Kip Mei Station to Kwun Tong Station, initially in a four-car configuration. The first train drivers were trained on the London Underground.
The United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997 concluding 156 Years of British Rule. The territory became China's first provincial-level special administrative region with a high degree of autonomy under the principle of one country, two systems.
The picture below shows East India Company iron steam ship Nemesis, commanded by Lieutenant W. H. Hall, with boats from the Sulphur, Calliope, Larne and Starling, destroying the Chinese war junks in Anson's Bay, on January 7, 1841.
Britain and China signed the Treaty of Nanking, an "unequal treaty" to end the First Opium War, on August 29, 1842. The island that is now the site of Hong Kong was ceded to Britain. The cession of Hong Kong to Britain had long-lasting effects, shaping the region's history and development until its eventual return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
The Hong Kong Police Force may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of this bustling metropolis, but it has a fascinating history. Established on May 1, 1844, it was the second modern police force in the world and the first in Asia. Its founding was a response to the rapid growth of the British colony of Hong Kong, which had become a key trading hub in the region.
The Japanese Empire attacked Hong Kong on the same morning as Pearl Harbor, only four hours after the attack, which led to the Battle of Hong Kong. After 18 days of fierce fighting against the overwhelming Japanese forces, the British Empire surrendered on December 25, 1941, a day which would be later referred to as Black Christmas. The occupation lasted for three years and eight months until Japan surrendered at the end of World War II.
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| The arrest of western bankers in Hong Kong by the Japanese |
The MTR, the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong, opened on October 1, 1979. The first trains from Shek Kip Mei Station to Kwun Tong Station, initially in a four-car configuration. The first train drivers were trained on the London Underground.
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| HK Tung Chung Line Train. By User:Honeybee - Wikipedia Commons |
The United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997 concluding 156 Years of British Rule. The territory became China's first provincial-level special administrative region with a high degree of autonomy under the principle of one country, two systems.
Since its replacement on July 1, 1997, the former flag of Hong Kong (see below) has been used as a symbol of protest against perceived Chinese interference in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands. (The husband's lover, on the other hand, may be killed in any manner desired.)
Hong Kong is the city with the most Rolls Royces per capita.
Hong Kong is considered the world's worst city for light pollution owing to its numerous spotlights and LED billboards. A 2013 study found that Tsim Sha Tsui was the worst polluted area, with readings on average 1000 times brighter than the benchmark "normal dark sky".
There is one restaurant for every 300 people in Hong Kong, the highest per capita concentration on Earth.
McDonald's staff in Hong Kong are not allowed to throw people out, so many "McRefugees" live there rather than pay steep rent prices.
The words 'Hong Kong' can be spoken without moving your lips.
Hong Kong has more skyscrapers, than any other city on earth. Its 1,294 such edifices, easily outstrips New York City, Dubai and other global metropolises.
Hong Kong has the most people living at the 15th floor or higher, and the most buildings of at least 100 m (328 ft) and 150 m (492 ft) height in the world.
In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands. (The husband's lover, on the other hand, may be killed in any manner desired.)
Hong Kong is the city with the most Rolls Royces per capita.
Hong Kong is considered the world's worst city for light pollution owing to its numerous spotlights and LED billboards. A 2013 study found that Tsim Sha Tsui was the worst polluted area, with readings on average 1000 times brighter than the benchmark "normal dark sky".
There is one restaurant for every 300 people in Hong Kong, the highest per capita concentration on Earth.
McDonald's staff in Hong Kong are not allowed to throw people out, so many "McRefugees" live there rather than pay steep rent prices.
The words 'Hong Kong' can be spoken without moving your lips.
Hong Kong has more skyscrapers, than any other city on earth. Its 1,294 such edifices, easily outstrips New York City, Dubai and other global metropolises.
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| Southern Kowloon and Victoria, Hong Kong, 2014. By Estial - Wikipedia Commons |
Hong Kong has the most people living at the 15th floor or higher, and the most buildings of at least 100 m (328 ft) and 150 m (492 ft) height in the world.
Some apartments in Hong Kong are so small they are called "coffin homes". They are so small that the UN called it an "insult to human dignity" with some being around 15 square feet".
Standing side by side, the entire world population could squeeze into Hong Kong.
Each evening, at least 44 skyscrapers and buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour light up in a synchronized show called A Symphony of Lights, named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest permanent light and sound festival in the world.
Some buildings on the coast of Hong Kong have holes in them to let dragons pass through.
Hong Kong is the only known place on Earth that can be pronounced without moving your tongues or lips.
Standing side by side, the entire world population could squeeze into Hong Kong.
Each evening, at least 44 skyscrapers and buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour light up in a synchronized show called A Symphony of Lights, named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest permanent light and sound festival in the world.
Some buildings on the coast of Hong Kong have holes in them to let dragons pass through.
Hong Kong is the only known place on Earth that can be pronounced without moving your tongues or lips.
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