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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.10_nov22
mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.10_nov22

Hong Kong was one of the first regions in China to be influenced by Western powers. Beginning in the 1840s, the British forced the Qing government to sign three unequal treaties that ceded Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and leased the New Territories. The whole Hong Kong territory eventually went under the British control.

The First Opium War broke out in June 1840. The British forces attacked Amoy (now Xiamen ﹝廈門﹞), captured Dinghai (定海), and reached Baihekou (白河口) at the end of July. The Qing government was shocked that the “barbarians” were already at its doorstep. Panic-stricken, it agreed to negotiate with the British in Guangdong (廣東). Charles Elliot, the Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China, forced Imperial Commissioner Qishan (琦善) to agree to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain. Before reaching an agreement, Britain had already sent troops to occupy Hong Kong Island by force in January 1841.

In June 1841, over a hundred British ships carrying more than 10,000 soldiers were sent from India to China to support the war. Henry Pottinger commanded the British forces to attack the Yangtze region (長江流域) and captured Shanghai (上海) and Zhenjiang (鎮江). The British forces carried on their momentum to advance westward on Nanjing (南京). On 29 August 1842, China and Britain signed the Treaty of Nanking (or Treaty of Nanjing, 《南京條約》), the first unequal treaty in modern Chinese history. The Article 3 of which stipulated the cession of Hong Kong Island to Britain.

What was the impact of ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain on Hong Kong?

See answer below.

mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshimap_en
mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshimap_en

A map showing the British-occupied Hong Kong territory referenced from the map adhered to the 1898 Convention Between Great Britain and China Respecting an Extension of Hong Kong Territory.

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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.2_nov22

The British forces capturing Dinghai in 1840.

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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.3_nov22

The Qing and British fleets fighting the Battle of Chuenpi in 1841.

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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.4_2022_en

Charles Elliot, the Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China, presented his demand that Hong Kong Island to be ceded to Britain to the Imperial Commissioner Qishan.

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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.5_nov22

Possession Street in Sheung Wan, where the British forces landed on Hong Kong Island in January 1841.

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The Chinese and English names of Possession Street do not match in meaning. The British named this place Possession Point because the British forces initially landed there. Later, the related street was named “Possession Street”. As for the Chinese name, it was originally called “Tai Hang Hou”. Before Hong Kong was established as a free port, water flowed into Victoria Harbour from there. This disappeared as a result of the development of the area. The newly constructed road was named “Possession Street”. The transliterated Chinese name was later changed to “Shui Hang Kou Street” based on its original geographical situation.

mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.6_nov22
mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.6_nov22

The British forces forcing the Qing forces garrisoned on Hong Kong Island to withdraw in January 1841.

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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.7_nov22

The British made an announcement on Hong Kong Island in 1841, claiming that the British occupation of Hong Kong Island was officially recorded.

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mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.8_nov22

The British forces capturing Zhenjiang in 1842, threatening Nanjing.

mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.9_nov22
mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.9_nov22

Britain defeated China in the First Opium War. On 29 August 1842, they signed the Treaty of Nanking on the British battleship. The Qing government ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain.

mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.10_nov22
mainsite_tushuojindai_xianggangshi4.10_nov22

Hong Kong Island in 1842. The cession of Hong Kong Island had a far-reaching impact on Hong Kong and China.

What was the impact of ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain on Hong Kong?

The cession of Hong Kong Island to Britain marked the establishment of Hong Kong as a free port in 1842. It was a turning point in Hong Kong history. The major impact was as follows:

1 The economic activities in Hong Kong were mainly fishing and farming. After it was established as a free port, it gradually became an important commercial port specialising in entrepot trade.

2 The population of Hong Kong grew rapidly. According to the 1841 records, the population of Hong Kong Island was 7,450. The overall population grew drastically as the Hong Kong territory gradually expanded and society developed. In 1862, it was about 120,000 and reached nearly 300,000 by 1901. Hong Kong became a major world city with its 1.6 million population before the Japanese occupation.

3 Hong Kong became a window through which China was able to establish contact with the outside world. This helped lead the country onto the road of reform.

Unless otherwise specified, the images in this material are provided by Professor Lau Chi-pang and Professor Liu Shuyong. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and obtain permission to reproduce this material. Please do get in touch with any enquiries or any information relating to this image or the rights holder.

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