Hong Kong History

This is a very brief list of important historical moments and facts. Try visiting a library and learn something. The only thing more magnificent than the Special Administrative Region's cinema is its rich, tumultuous history. Many reviewers can talk and pontificate about Hong Kong filmmakers and symbolism - few actually know what they are talking about. If you want to appreciate your favorite films on a level you never have before - look into the customs, folklore, philosophy and history of their native country. You'd be surprised what subtleties you are missing, and what doors you have yet to open.

3000 B. C. - First recorded settlements emerge on the island. These people are known as "Tonkas," many assimilated with the aboriginal inhabitants. It is believed that the "Tonka," were from what is now known as Vietnam. Many took residence in what is now called "The New Territories." Later, the Cantonese settlers label themselves "Poon Tei." 2000 B. C. - A written, "universal" pictography develops in China 1122 B. C. - China develops feudalistic system 221 B. C. - The Silk Road opens up trade throughout the East, peaking around 207 B. C. 960 A. D. - Song Dynasty. Mongols, lead by Ti Mou Chin (Genghis Kahn) invade China. Settlement into Hong Kong grows as refugees are driven south. According to the Encyclopedia, the oldest settlements on Hong Kong Island are Cheuk Pai Wan - known as "Aberdeen," and Cheung Sha Wan. 1300 A. C. - Official Chinese Settlement into Hong Kong begins.

1840 A. D. - The "Opium War" slowly erupts between China and England, brought about when Peking objects to the exploitation of opium the British bring about form India. Peking demands all trade and importation cease, and all shipments be destroyed. January 20th, 1841 A. D. - "Convention of Chuen Bi." Charles Elliott declares Hong Kong a "Crown Colony" and assumes leadership over the island. Elliot launches serious corruption by selling land to settlers. After much prodding by China, Elliot is given the boot and Sir Henry Pottinger takes over, where he leads British occupation of Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai. Being a grand colonial extortionist, Pottinger prepares to domineer Nanking.

An artist's rendition of Sir Henry Pottinger.

August 29th, 1842 A. D. - China bends to Pottinger's tyranny and the "Treaty Of Nanking" officially ends the Opium War. As a part of this bending, Hong Kong is given to England "in perpetuity." The British celebrate by exploiting cheap labor in Amoy, Ningpo, Foochow and Shanghai.

"We Come In Peace." British troops take hold.

June 16th, 1843 A. D. - Sir Henry Pottinger becomes the first "Governor" of Hong Kong. In October China is given free trade assess to the island. 1856 A. D. - China detains British sailing vessel "Arrow," under suspicion of importing opium. England retaliates by declaring war against the Peking government for detaining opium smugglers who sailed under the Union Jack. 1858 A. D. - After severe extortion and bullying, China gives in and the "Second Opium War" comes to an end with the "Convention of Tianjin." England weasels out of it political clout in Peking. 1860 A. D. - After skirmishes between England and China, the "Convention of Peking" ends up giving the United Kingdom more land, extending to what is now known as "Kowloon," and some small islands.

1871 A. D. - Telegraph communications are established between Europe and Hong Kong via underwater cable. 1888-1910 A. D. - Victoria Peak tram completed, a tramway system for the island begins construction, and a railway line into Canton (GuangZhou) begins construction. 1891 A. D. - The Hong Kong dollar is minted. June 9th, 1898 A. D. - The "Treaty Of Peking" establishes a 99 year lease with which England acquires what is known as "The New Territories," and 236 associated islands. 1911 A. D. - University of Hong Kong established.

"All in the name of the Emperor." Japanese troops invade Hong Kong.

1937-1945 A. D. - over 700, 000 people flee China for Hong Kong as the Japanese begin their imperial reign of terror. December 8th, 1941 - Japanese troops invade Hong Kong - a day after the successful attack on Pearl Harbor. Within sixteen days, Christmas eve, Hong Kong surrenders. The population starves as those who can - flee to nearby Macau. Those left behind become prisoners of war. Britain surrenders to the Japanese on January 13, 1943.

Hong Kong Surrenders after putting up agood fight.

August 14, 1945 Japan ends its reign of tyranny, thus becoming "Mac Arthur's Children." 1946 A. D. - England officially ends its illegal trade in opium. 1949 A. D. - Mao Tze Dung succeeds in establishing The "People's Republic of China." Supporters of Cheng Kai Shek flee to Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Those stuck in the mainland end up starving, fighting and struggling to survive, exasperated of a U. N. embargo on China.

"Chairman" Mao Tze Dung.

1956 A. D. - Hong Kong is given the right to "self administration." This means little, given the administration still falls under "Queen's Law," and a governor appointed by the United Kingdom. Concerned citizens, tired of British exploitation, riot in the streets. British backed police use unprecedented force, melees ensue. 1967 A. D. - The war in Vietnam rages on. America is in a revolutionary stage. Hong Kong is no different. The left in Hong Kong wage strikes against exploitation stemming from British rule. The "Colonial Riots" begin. 1968 A. D. - Worker's rights are acknowledged and a minimum wage is established. 1971 A. D. - Chinese-language elementary public schools are given grants from the government, making them free to all. 1973 A. D. - The stock exchange closes. 1974 A. D. - Cantonese is finally acknowledged as an official language in Hong Kong. Police certificates are still handled in English nonetheless. The significance carries over into the film industry, with a resurgence in Cantonese-language pictures, culminating in a "renaissance" in 1978, thus ending the association of "Mandarin-language pics." 1980 - MRT is unveiled, thus a new age of mass transit begins. October 23, a law is established for repatriation of illegal immigrants seeking refuge in Hong Kong. 1981 - The "British Nationality Act" is established, resulting in all Hong Kong Chinese loosing their status as "Queen's subjects" as of January 1st, 1983.

Sir Murray Maclehose and Deng Xiaoping, 1979.

1984 -January 13th Taxi Drivers' Strike. Riots ensue. December - The "Hong Kong Agreement" is established where, from July 1st, 1997, the "Colony" becomes a "Special Administrative Region" Of China. Protests by pro-democracy activists follow. Hong Kong slowly emerges into an important market as its economy strengthens. 1989 - March. The infamous "Walled City" is destroyed, its inhabitants are relocated.

In May, the student-led democracy movement, centered out of Tienamen Square, Beijing, China, has the world's attention. In Hong Kong massive demonstrations of support follow. June - the crackdown. The world watched in horror. June 5th - the stock market plummets. 1990 - April 19th, out of 6 million people, England issues only 50, 000 visas to "leading citizens," granting them protection as "Queen's Subjects." 1991 - Plans are established for the Chek Lap Kok airport. 1992 - In response to unrest in Vietnamese "camps," deportation is stepped up of its "Boat People." Later that year, Governor David Wilson is forced to step down, ushering in the colony's last British leader, Christopher Patten.

The last governor, Christopher Patten - behind him, an image proving that years of incest can take its toll.

July 1st, 1997 A. D. -Hong Kong is "handed-over" to Mainland China, officially ending its status of being a "Crown Colony," and installing it's status as a "Special Administrative Region" of China.

"Upsadaisey, Downsadaisey..."

Every child's hero, the "lovable" Jiang Zemin.

East Meets West - evidence that we can all look like undertakers and bandleaders, no matter who we are...

Christopher Patten steps down as Tung Chi Hwa steps up.

"David" Tung Chi Hwa - bucking the stigma of the western press.

People celebrate as the western press gets paranoid.

"We're going to party like it's 19 ninety - er... Seven."

A year later and the western press does not fess up that it was "crying wolf." The Chek Lap Kok airport is opened.

October, 1998 - Chief Executive Tung Chi Hwa announces over $100 million dollars will go into re-vitalizing the local film industry.

more to come...