Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations a deeply important role in the formation of the modern Hong Kong. Sovereignty of Hong Kong was ceded to the UK "in perpetuity" on 29 August 1842 through the Treaty of Nanking. The UK further expanded the territory of Hong Kong in 1860 by another cessation, plus a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. The stability, security, and predictability of British law and government enabled Hong Kong to flourish as a centre for international trade. Localisation of teritary institutions, the Hong Kong government and the independent Judiciary in the run-up to the 1997 Handover of sovereignty, caused a
Postage stamps and postal history of Hong Kong only British soldiers in Hong Kong could use British stamps while other local residents did not have any. Hong Kong has issued a variety of stamps since 1862. Hong Kong formerly produced postage stamps with the name "Hong Kong", with the face of the reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom, or with the royal symbols (e.g. "E.R."). After the Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty to China, all further issues bore the name "Hong Kong, China"; British Hong Kong postage stamps were no longer valid for the prepayment of postage, nor did the Post Office offer to repurchase them. publication) Postage