Hong Kong marked the 25th anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule.

HISTORY:

• The British Government took control of Hong Kong
• In 1898, the British Government signed ‘Second Convention of Peking’ with Chinese Qing Dynasty’, gaining rights to control Hong Kong and islands surrounding it on 99 years lease.
• During 155 years as the British colony, Hong Kong emerged as a financial and cultural hub.
• It acquired democratic credentials of freedom of speech and rule of law, in stark contrast to Communist China.
• The ‘Sino-British Joint Declaration’ treaty of 1984, between the UK and People’s Republic of China (PRC) Government set out modalities under which Hong Kong was to be transferred to China and its governance.
• on July 1, 1997,the ‘Basic Law’ became a constitutional document to provide legal framework for Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) to retain its unique character for a period of fifty years, post-merger with PRC.
• The ‘Basic Law’ guarantees fundamental rights, freedom of communication, religious beliefs and independent judicial system.

ISSUES:

• In 2003, a largest protest have witnessed since the handover.
• The citizens march against proposed national security legislation that would have criminalized “subversion” against the Chinese government.
• In June 2019, the protesters took to streets demonstrating against the ‘Extradition Bill’.
• The Bill stipulated that those suspected of serious crimes could be sent to China and carried a sentence of minimum seven years.

CURRENT STATUS:

• Hong Kong exists as a Special Administrative Region controlled by the People’s Republic of China and enjoys its own limited autonomy as defined by the Basic Law.
• China has introduced ‘patriots’ political reforms which ensure that only loyalist can run for parliament and top executive position.

MODEL QUESTION:

Q. Which of the following cities borders the South China Sea?

1. Hong Kong
2. Macau
3. Tianjin

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer :  A

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