Hong Kong

In 1871, the University of Hong Kong, originally known as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, was founded. It was the territory's first institution of higher learning for medical sciences. This university played a significant role in the development of British colonial education and academia, becoming a full-fledged university in 1911 and continuing to be one of Asia's leading universities.

The Hong Kong 1967 riots were a large-scale, pro-communist leftist protests and demonstrations against British rule. These developed into violent riots between May and December, triggered by disputes in factories and operated with a backdrop of the Cultural Revolution in China. The situation escalated to the use of homemade bombs and attacks on police, leading to casualties on both sides and eventually a crackdown.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed on December 19, 1984, by the People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom. This treaty set out the terms and conditions under which Hong Kong would be returned to China in 1997. It outlined the 'one country, two systems' principle, ensuring Hong Kong would retain its existing capitalist system and way of life for 50 years after the handover.

On May 21, 1989, over one million people in Hong Kong marched in support of the student protests in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. The event, known as the 'Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China', was notable for its unprecedented scale and unity across different sectors of society. It highlighted Hong Kong's desire for democracy and solidarity with mainland Chinese demands for reform.

On September 17, 1991, Hong Kong held its first Legislative Council elections which allowed for a limited form of representative government. This was part of the political reforms initiated by Governor Chris Patten to increase public participation ahead of the 1997 handover. The elections were a significant step towards democracy, despite being dominated by pro-Beijing and pro-business parties.

The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China took place on July 1, 1997. This event marked the end of British rule in Hong Kong, which had lasted 156 years, and the beginning of the Special Administrative Region under Chinese sovereignty with the 'one country, two systems' principle. The handover ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including Prince Charles representing the United Kingdom and Jiang Zemin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China.

On July 1, 2003, massive protests took place in Hong Kong with over 500,000 people in attendance. Demonstrators opposed the implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, which sought to enhance measures against subversion. The large turnout was a strong signal of public discontent towards the Hong Kong government's policies and resulted in the toppling of several government measures deemed overly restrictive.

The Umbrella Revolution began on September 26, 2014, as part of the Hong Kong democracy protests centered around the high-profile demonstrations for more transparent elections. It was sparked by the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress regarding proposed reforms to the Hong Kong electoral system, which was seen as restrictive. Protesters occupied several areas in the heart of the city with umbrellas used as a symbol of resistance.

The Legislative Council oath-taking controversy in Hong Kong erupted on November 6, 2016, when two newly elected pro-independence lawmakers used derogatory language about China during their swearing-in. Their oaths were invalidated, and the incident led to heightened tensions between Hong Kong's legislature and the Chinese central government, resulting in their disqualification by the National People's Congress.

Protests began in Hong Kong in March 2019 in response to the proposed Extradition Law Amendment Bill. The bill would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Fears arose that the bill could undermine the judicial independence under the 'one country, two systems' framework and lead to unfair trials. The protests grew into a large movement calling for democratic reforms and police accountability.

The National Security Law was enacted in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China. The law criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Critics argue it erodes freedoms and autonomy promised to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region until 2047 under 'one country, two systems' and has been widely condemned internationally.