Hong Kong: A History

7 million people populate the Chinese city of Hong Kong, located in the Pearl River Estuary in the south of China. With an area of only 426 square miles, it is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Known for its towering skyline, light pollution, and thriving economy, it is a very unusual city due to the fact that it runs on a capitalist system while the mainland is communist. Its laissez-faire economy is the result of over a century of British colonial rule: prior to its colonization, Hong Kong was home to only fishermen and farmers. Britain transformed it into one of the most successful trading outposts in the East. The island’s ideal situation at the mouth of the Pearl River contributed to its success, as did the freedom given to it by the colonial government. This very freedom also drew out millions of immigrants from the mainland who would become workers in one of the world’s foremost manufacturing cities. In the 20th century, Britain returned the island to China, an event that caused much strife and anxiety not just in Hong Kong but worldwide. Surprisingly, the communist Chinese government allowed the city to carry on as it always had, granting it almost complete autonomy and not taking any measures to interfere with its capitalist economy. As a result, Hong Kong has continued to thrive and has not lost its place as one of the most financially successful cities in the world.

Prior to Britain’s colonization of Hong Kong, no economic development was underway and the island was very underutilized. The island itself has been inhabited since ancient times, but it was only during the 12th century that Chinese from the mainland began settling there. The newcomers took to calling themselves locals, and proce...

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...y’s growth continue unimpeded. During CNN’s open mic interview, one citizen of Hong Kong expressed the difference between his city and mainland China thusly: “I can only sum it up in one word: freedom. We have more freedom here, freedom of expression, and . . . freedom of speech. I hope one day China will be the same.”

Works Cited

"History." History of Hong Kong. Lonely Planet, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. .

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Moncure, Richard. "BRIEF HISTORY OF HONG KONG." HONG KONG'S HISTORY. California State University: Dominguez Hills, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. ."What's the Difference between Hong Kong and Mainland China?" CNN Open Mic Interview. CNN, 27 June 2012. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. .