when was hong kong taken by the british
British Hong Kong British Hong Kong was the period during which Hong Kong was under British Crown rule from 1842[b] to 1997 (excluding the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945). It was established as a Crown colony and later designated a British Dependent Territory in 1981. Hong Kong Island was ceded to the United Kingdom by the Qing dynasty of China after the First Opium War (1839–1842). The Kowloon Peninsula was added to the colony after the Second Opium War (1856–1860). Finally, in 1898, the New Territories were added under a 99-year lease. Although Hong Kong Island and Kowloon were ceded to Britain in perpetuity, the New Territories – which comprised over 90 per cent of Hong Kong's land – had such a vital role in the economy that the British government agreed to transfer sovereignty of the entirety of Hong Kong to China upon the expiration of the lease in 1997. The transfer has been considered by many as marking the end of the British Empire.
British Hong Kong In 1841, Elliot negotiated with Lin's successor, Qishan, in the Convention of Chuenpi during the First Opium War. On 20 January, Elliot announced "the conclusion of preliminary arrangements", which included the cession of Hong Kong Island and its harbour to the British Crown.[4] Elliot chose Hong Kong instead of Chusan because he believed a settlement further east would cause an "indefinite protraction of hostilities", whereas Hong Kong's harbour was a valuable base for the British trading community in Canton.[5] On 26 January, the Union Jack was raised on Hong Kong and Commodore James Bremer, commander-in-chief of British forces in China, took formal possession of the island at Possession Point.[6] On 29 August 1842, the cession was formally ratified in the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong "in perpetuity" to Britain.
Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, referred to as "the Handover" or "the Return" internationally, took place on 1 July 1997. The landmark event marked the end of British administration in Hong Kong, and is often regarded as marking the end of the British Empire.
Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong The Handover of Hong Kong (or simply "the Handover"), also known as "the Return" in mainland China, was the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China in a ceremony on 30 June 1997. The territory of Hong Kong comprised Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which were ceded to Britain in 1842 and 1860, respectively, and the New Territories, which was leased for 99 years in 1898. The retrocession of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was conducted to coincide with the expiration of the New Territories' lease at midnight on 30 June. The landmark event marked the end of British rule in Hong Kong, and is regarded by some as marking the end of the British Empire.