Category Archives: Hong Kong

I am always surprised at how few people know the political status of Hong Kong. A lot of people think it is its own country, but it is actually one of two Special Administrative Regions of China (Macau being the other). In the 19th century, England, being so fed up with China's isolationist policy, gained control of Hong Kong in order to open up trade with the East. Except during a short stint during the Pacific War, Hong Kong has been under British control since 1842 (after the Opium War) until 1997, when the territory was officially given back to China. Under Hong Kong's "one countries, two systems" policy, China has jurisdiction over HK only in the areas of national defense and foreign relations. Otherwise, Hong Kong virtually acts as an independent country with its own immigration checks, currency system, and laissez faire capitalist economy. (Above is a photo of the highly commercial HK skyline taken from Tsim Sha Tsui.)