In 1997, Hong Kong returned to China. During the Korean War in 1950, the United States boycotted trade with communist China, a move that considerably affected Hong Kong’s trade activity. To tackle this embargo, the island promoted the development of its industry in the 1950s and 1960s, a task facilitated by the influx of refugees who provided excellent cheap labor and money. In this period, Hong Kong’s liberal policy has attracted many foreign investors, resulting in an economic boom that has made the island one of the richest and most productive regions in Asia.
Economic growth, however, caused some discontent among workers, as they earned very low wages. This malaise triggered riots in the summer of 1967, promoted by supporters of the Chinese cultural revolution. To combat this situation, the Government launched labor legislation, increased public housing and invested more in public works, thus restoring stability in the 1970s.
During this decade, emigrants from China continued to flock; relations between the two nations were more friendly. In the following years there were even joint operations between China and Hong Kong.
In 1982, China and the United Kingdom began talks to return sovereignty over Hong Kong to the former. An agreement signed in 1984 in Beijing (Beijing) determined that China would take over the territory from 1 July 1997. Accordingly, Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty after 156 years of British colonial administration if at 00:00 that day.
Hong Kong enjoys the status of Special Administrative Region, according to the formula “one country, two systems”, also applied to Macau from December 20, 1999. In this way, the territory remains a free port and a international financial center, and, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy, has a high degree of autonomy. It does not pay taxes to the central government and its way of life, including freedom of the press, has not been changed.
The future of Macau, Taiwan, the economies of neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and even China itself, all interdependent with each other, depends on the success or failure of this political, social and administrative experience.
Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of Hong Kong, sorted by city location and acronyms.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Hong Kong. Listed by popularity.
Hong Kong – AccessAsia Maps
Follow links to view a clickable map of Hong Kong that includes detailed city information, as well as a map that provides useful visitor details.
