Imperial British Hong Kong.

Farewell to British Hong Kong

by Walter Glaser

I hope that you will forgive me for writing this as my impressions of Hong Kong in its last days of British rule. I have visited the Crown Colony of Hong Kong every year since the late 50's and have just returned from seeing for the last time the old Hong Kong that I knew. In my humble opinion those living there who say there will be no change are indulging in an overdose of wishful thinking. Hong Kong may, at least for a few years, be quite different to the rest of China. But it will also be different to the way it was under British rule, and before giving you my impressions, I should perhaps start with a thumb-nail sketch of its history.

Until the turn of this century, commerce, administration and travel in China were mainly centered along the country's great rivers, the colonial powers of the world realized that to penetrate China's vast markets, a commercial and military staging post at the mouth of such rivers was the ideal place for a foothold and base in China. Britain, Japan, France, Germany and Portugal all had enclaves to support their political and economic interests. Shanghai at the mouth of the Yangtse, was the major China base for Germany, France, Japan and Britain.

Another major trade artery was the Pearl River. European powers had enclaves in Canton that were somewhat similar to those in Shanghai, but Portugal and Britain wanted more. So they took up unpopulated tracts of land, Portugal annexing Macau on the western end of the Pearl River. It seems almost inconceivable in today's climate of the war against drugs, to realize that the British East India Company, under the protection of Britain's Armed Forces, had made it a policy to open China's trade doors by attempting to addict China's masses to the opium on which this company had a virtual monopoly. Drugs were, of course, not as frowned upon in those days as they are now. One must bear in mind that this was the era when Coca Cola concentrate contained a goodly dose of coca-leaf extract, enough to give drinkers a cocaine "high" that made them exceptionally brand-loyal!

On January 20, 1841, Captain Charles Elliot of the British Royal Navy who was then Britain's representative as Trade Superintendent decided to take over Hong Kong Island. The Chinese had just confiscated thousands of cases of opium from the British settlement in Canton, and Captain Elliot figured that a firmer base, not accessible to the Chinese would make a safer storage and trading area. He did this without referring to London, but by the time the news of his actions reached England, the acquisition of the Island of Hong Kong, now known as Victoria Island, was a fait accompli.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Imperial British Hong Kong
• matheona image

[DavBlc7]

I heard rumor that HK TV would not show Prince William & Katie wedding tomorrow (the 29th) live - only small clips. Chinese TV also would not allow it to be screened live too.

Is this true?

[matheona]

@DavBlc7 I hope HK get the better.Wait for better times HK...Yours matheona

[DavBlc7]

@matheona It will never get better as long as the Communist party still in power in china.

[matheona]

@DavBlc7 OK, I wish you to get to be better as soon as possiable.I believe the truth is still in our hearts forever.Good luck HK.Have a nice times Yours matheona

[jdi0093113]

@DavBlc7 The Queen does rule and does have the power. It is just that her power is used by teh Govt. Though this can be revoked at any time. This would cause a constitutional crisis and the shit will hit the fan. WAR will occur.

[DavBlc7]

@slim22rj I agree with you, however people in China strongly believed that HK rightfully belong to China and not British.

By 2047, HK may almost fully Chinese when children grown into adults may became Chinese by hearts from learning how to be Chinese and loyal to their true motherland China and people who believed to be British or independent may get less and less in HK. That was one of Deng's plan before he died but Chinese and pro-Beijing HKSAR governments will carry out his wishes.

[slim22rj]

Better british than chinese.

[LordSpuggy]

@DavBlc7 I never claimed that PRChina were not a powerful country, I simply wished to oppose the claim that Britain is insignificant on the world stage as that is nothing but complete folly. I'm of the what I'd think should be a universal belief that the people of Hong Kong should have been allowed to choose their own future.

[DavBlc7]

@antonine426 On the map even on Google Earth it still says "Victoria" though also "Central" as well.

Victoria is not capital city of Hong Kong Kong - Like Singapore Hong Kong is their own capital city in itself.

[DavBlc7]

@LordSpuggy You forgot the PRC also had a permanent on UN Security Council. Our PM and his government is too friendly with China cos they need China for trade and economics needs,

The Chinese lent two pandas to UK to stay in Edinburgh Zoo for ten years to mark friendship between the UK (particularly Scotland).

The only sour note yesterday was that the UK blamed China for vetoed the UN resolution against the Syrian government whom China and Russia supports.

[antonine426]

One thing, Hong Kong Island was never known as Victoria Island. There was once a Victoria City, where Central is today, but that was it.

Good video btw. :) #longlivefreehongkong

[antonine426]

Hear, hear!

[ric66521]

@sabineroad Chinese already colonising the hong kong, also we don't think that we are big colonial power the only group of people who think this is PRC chinese. PRC chinese always want to colonise and destroy other places

[08069]

good old days