History of Hong Kong

History

Archeological findings date the first human settlements in the area back to more

than 30,000 years ago. It was first incorporated into China during the Qin Dynasty

and largely remained under Chinese rule until 1841 during the Qing Dynasty, with

a brief interruption at the end of the Qin Dynasty, when a Qin official established

the kingdom of Nam Yuet, which later fell to the Han Dynasty.

In January 1841, as a result of the defeat of the Qing Dynasty of China in the First

Opium War, Hong Kong Island became a British colony, under the Convention of

Chuen Pi. After the defeat of China in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon

Peninsula was ceded to Britain in 1860. In 1898, the New Territories were leased to

Britain for 99 years.

When World War II broke out, Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister,

declared that Hong Kong was an "impregnable fortress". However, it was only a

reality check for the British as most of their troops were tied down fighting the

Germans in Europe, and Hong Kong was not given enough resources for its

defence. As a result, after just slightly more than two weeks of fighting, Hong Kong

was surrendered to the Japanese on 25 December 1941, making