✿ | timeline
timeline
➔4000 BC
The first stone-age settlements are established on the south China coast.
➔1557
Portuguese traders establish a colony at Macau.
➔1685
Emperor Kangxi allows limited trade in Guangzhou (Canton). Ships begin arriving from the British East India Company.
➔1773
British traders unload 1,000 chests of opium in Guangzhou.
➔1799
China's opium consumption reaches 2,000 chests a year, forcing Beijing to ban the drug, which then drives the trade underground.
➔1834
The British East India Company loses its monopoly on the opium trade to other European nations.
➔1839
China appoints the anti-opium viceroy, Lin Zexu, to clean up drugs in Guangzhou. He confiscates around 20,000 chests of opium from the British. Hostilities mount until November, when British ships blow up four Chinese junks, sparking the first Anglo-Chinese War, which became known as the First Opium War.
➔1840-1
Negotiations between China and Britain break down, and the British fleet attacks Guangzhou and occupies the city's forts. The two sides agree on a preliminary resolution (the Convention of Chuen Pi), which cedes the island of Hong Kong (population 5,000) to the British. But neither government is happy with the terms and both refuse to ratify it.
➔1842
The Opium War ends and the British possession of Hong Kong is confirmed by the Treaty of Nanjing, which cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain "in perpetuity". Sir Henry Pottinger becomes the first British governor of Hong Kong.
➔1856-60
The Chinese cede Kowloon and Stonecutter's Island to Britain. But hostilities continue, culminating in the Second Opium War.
➔1862
A Sino-Portuguese treaty grants Macau colonial status similar to Hong Kong's.
➔1898
Britain forces China to lease the New Territories, including the outlying islands, for 99 years.
➔1911
Dr Sun Yat-sen overthrows the Qing dynasty and establishes the Republic of China.
➔1912
Emperor Puyi abdicates, signalling the end of Imperial China.
➔1932
The Chinese Communists declare war on Japan.
➔1941
On Christmas Day the British surrender Hong Kong to the Japanese.
➔1945
World War II ends and the British resume control of Hong Kong. China's civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists (Guomintang) resumes.
➔1949
The Nationalists are defeated and flee to Taiwan. The Communists found the People's Republic of China.
➔1953
With tens of thousands of people arriving each month, Hong Kong's population hits 2.2 million, but many are living in squatter camps. The Shek Kip Mei fire leaves 53,000 homeless. Public-housing policy is fast-tracked.
➔1966
Cultural Revolution begins in China, spilling over into Hong Kong with riots over a price increase in the first class Star Ferry fare.
➔1972
Opening of the first cross-harbour tunnel. Hong Kong population hits 4 million.
➔1976
Death of Mao ushers in a new era for China.
➔1978
Under Deng Xiaoping, China starts to reform its economy and open its doors to the world.
➔1912
Hong Kong's US$1 billion Mass Transit Railway opens.
➔1982
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visits Beijing and Hong Kong to begin discussions on Hong Kong's future. China decides to develop Shenzhen, a small town on Hong Kong's northern border, into a Special Economic Zone.
➔1983
China reveals its plans for Hong Kong to become a Special Administrative Region after 1997. Under the proposed terms, Hong Kong will keep its own capitalist system, judiciary and police, and the leading official will be a Hong Kong Chinese. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 7.8.
➔1984
The British Ambassador to China and the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister initial "A Draft Agreement on the Future of Hong Kong", ending two years of acrimony. The Hong Kong government starts to plan for the territory's administration in the years running up to 1997.
➔1985
Britain and China ratify the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The colony holds its first election for the Legislatove Council (Legco), drawing criticism from China, which inisists that any political changes not accepted by Beijing will not be respected after the handover.
➔1988
The proposed Basic Law, Hong Kong's post-handover consitution, is published.
➔1989
One million people take to the streets to protest against the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Forced repatriation of Vietnamese boat people begins.
➔1992
Hong Kong's 28th and last British governor, Chris Patten, arrives in the territory and proposes political reform. The move draws attacks from Beijing.
➔1994
Legco passes Patten's proposed electoral reforms. China and the UK continue to squabble.
➔1997
China resumes sovereignty on JUly 1, Tung Chee-hwa is appointed chief executive and Hong Kong becomes an SAR. The stock market dives in response to the Asian economic crisis.
➔1998
Asian economic crisis worsens. First known human case of bird flu virus kills six people.
➔1999
Typhoon York, Hong Kong's first "direct hit" since 1983, kills two and injures over 500. A pair of Giant Pandas, named An An and Jia Jia are given to Ocean Park by China. China resumes sovereignty of Macau on 20 December.
➔2003
The deadly SARS virus spreads to Hong Kong, killing 299. Economic recovery stumbles. On 1 July, over half a million people join a march to protest against proposals for national security laws. The government backs down and shelves the plans indefinitely.
➔2004
Mainland tourist arrivals boom and economic recovery begins. Up to half a million protestors again march on 1 July, calling for more democracy and local control over local affairs.
➔2005
Tung Chee-hwa resigns and is succeeded by Donald Tsang.
➔2006
As travel restrictions on the mainland continue to ease, Chinese visitor arrivals hits 13.6 million.
➔2007
An 800-person election committee appoints Donald Tsang as CE until 2012. Hong Kong celebrates 4 years of economic growth and 10 years as an SAR of China. Two more pandas, named Le Le and Ying Ying, are given by the PRC.
➔2008
To mark China's hosting the Olympic Games, the Central Government gives five Chinese Sturgeon, symbolising the five Olympic rings, to Hong Kong. Hong Kong hosts the equestrian events.
➔4000 BC
The first stone-age settlements are established on the south China coast.
➔1557
Portuguese traders establish a colony at Macau.
➔1685
Emperor Kangxi allows limited trade in Guangzhou (Canton). Ships begin arriving from the British East India Company.
➔1773
British traders unload 1,000 chests of opium in Guangzhou.
➔1799
China's opium consumption reaches 2,000 chests a year, forcing Beijing to ban the drug, which then drives the trade underground.
➔1834
The British East India Company loses its monopoly on the opium trade to other European nations.
➔1839
China appoints the anti-opium viceroy, Lin Zexu, to clean up drugs in Guangzhou. He confiscates around 20,000 chests of opium from the British. Hostilities mount until November, when British ships blow up four Chinese junks, sparking the first Anglo-Chinese War, which became known as the First Opium War.
➔1840-1
Negotiations between China and Britain break down, and the British fleet attacks Guangzhou and occupies the city's forts. The two sides agree on a preliminary resolution (the Convention of Chuen Pi), which cedes the island of Hong Kong (population 5,000) to the British. But neither government is happy with the terms and both refuse to ratify it.
➔1842
The Opium War ends and the British possession of Hong Kong is confirmed by the Treaty of Nanjing, which cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain "in perpetuity". Sir Henry Pottinger becomes the first British governor of Hong Kong.
➔1856-60
The Chinese cede Kowloon and Stonecutter's Island to Britain. But hostilities continue, culminating in the Second Opium War.
➔1862
A Sino-Portuguese treaty grants Macau colonial status similar to Hong Kong's.
➔1898
Britain forces China to lease the New Territories, including the outlying islands, for 99 years.
➔1911
Dr Sun Yat-sen overthrows the Qing dynasty and establishes the Republic of China.
➔1912
Emperor Puyi abdicates, signalling the end of Imperial China.
➔1932
The Chinese Communists declare war on Japan.
➔1941
On Christmas Day the British surrender Hong Kong to the Japanese.
➔1945
World War II ends and the British resume control of Hong Kong. China's civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists (Guomintang) resumes.
➔1949
The Nationalists are defeated and flee to Taiwan. The Communists found the People's Republic of China.
➔1953
With tens of thousands of people arriving each month, Hong Kong's population hits 2.2 million, but many are living in squatter camps. The Shek Kip Mei fire leaves 53,000 homeless. Public-housing policy is fast-tracked.
➔1966
Cultural Revolution begins in China, spilling over into Hong Kong with riots over a price increase in the first class Star Ferry fare.
➔1972
Opening of the first cross-harbour tunnel. Hong Kong population hits 4 million.
➔1976
Death of Mao ushers in a new era for China.
➔1978
Under Deng Xiaoping, China starts to reform its economy and open its doors to the world.
➔1912
Hong Kong's US$1 billion Mass Transit Railway opens.
➔1982
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visits Beijing and Hong Kong to begin discussions on Hong Kong's future. China decides to develop Shenzhen, a small town on Hong Kong's northern border, into a Special Economic Zone.
➔1983
China reveals its plans for Hong Kong to become a Special Administrative Region after 1997. Under the proposed terms, Hong Kong will keep its own capitalist system, judiciary and police, and the leading official will be a Hong Kong Chinese. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 7.8.
➔1984
The British Ambassador to China and the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister initial "A Draft Agreement on the Future of Hong Kong", ending two years of acrimony. The Hong Kong government starts to plan for the territory's administration in the years running up to 1997.
➔1985
Britain and China ratify the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The colony holds its first election for the Legislatove Council (Legco), drawing criticism from China, which inisists that any political changes not accepted by Beijing will not be respected after the handover.
➔1988
The proposed Basic Law, Hong Kong's post-handover consitution, is published.
➔1989
One million people take to the streets to protest against the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Forced repatriation of Vietnamese boat people begins.
➔1992
Hong Kong's 28th and last British governor, Chris Patten, arrives in the territory and proposes political reform. The move draws attacks from Beijing.
➔1994
Legco passes Patten's proposed electoral reforms. China and the UK continue to squabble.
➔1997
China resumes sovereignty on JUly 1, Tung Chee-hwa is appointed chief executive and Hong Kong becomes an SAR. The stock market dives in response to the Asian economic crisis.
➔1998
Asian economic crisis worsens. First known human case of bird flu virus kills six people.
➔1999
Typhoon York, Hong Kong's first "direct hit" since 1983, kills two and injures over 500. A pair of Giant Pandas, named An An and Jia Jia are given to Ocean Park by China. China resumes sovereignty of Macau on 20 December.
➔2003
The deadly SARS virus spreads to Hong Kong, killing 299. Economic recovery stumbles. On 1 July, over half a million people join a march to protest against proposals for national security laws. The government backs down and shelves the plans indefinitely.
➔2004
Mainland tourist arrivals boom and economic recovery begins. Up to half a million protestors again march on 1 July, calling for more democracy and local control over local affairs.
➔2005
Tung Chee-hwa resigns and is succeeded by Donald Tsang.
➔2006
As travel restrictions on the mainland continue to ease, Chinese visitor arrivals hits 13.6 million.
➔2007
An 800-person election committee appoints Donald Tsang as CE until 2012. Hong Kong celebrates 4 years of economic growth and 10 years as an SAR of China. Two more pandas, named Le Le and Ying Ying, are given by the PRC.
➔2008
To mark China's hosting the Olympic Games, the Central Government gives five Chinese Sturgeon, symbolising the five Olympic rings, to Hong Kong. Hong Kong hosts the equestrian events.