Hong Kong

Skyscrapers, crowded streets, and a rich cultural heritage have all contributed to Hong Kong’s reputation as a dynamic and varied metropolis. Over the course of several centuries, it has transformed from a little fishing hamlet into a major international financial hub. From its humble beginnings as a fishing hamlet to its modern-day status as a global city, Hong Kong has a long and fascinating history that we shall cover in this article.

Past Events

More than five thousand years ago, several indigenous peoples called the Hong Kong area home. During the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), Hong Kong was known as Xianggang, which translates to “fragrant harbor” in Chinese.

The Song Dynasty established dominance over the area in the 13th century, and China maintained its grip on the territory until the middle of the 19th century. A few thousand people called Hong Kong home at this period when it was only a tiny fishing village.

British Dominion

Hong Kong was handed over to Britain after the First Opium War, which ended in 1842. Britain gained control of Hong Kong and the neighboring region of Kowloon as part of the peace settlement known as the Treaty of Nanking.

Hong Kong became significantly more advanced and sophisticated during the British colonial era. The British invested heavily on Hong Kong’s transportation network, transforming the city into a bustling commercial center. Hong Kong’s economy boomed in the early 20th century, when it had become one of the world’s busiest ports.

Occupation by the Japanese during World War II

From 1941 until 1945, Hong Kong was under Japanese occupation. Many Hong Kong residents suffered from hunger and sickness throughout the years of Japanese control. After the war, the British regained control of Hong Kong and began making plans to reconstruct the city and raise the living standards of its citizens.

Accelerating Growth

Hong Kong’s economy flourished and expanded rapidly in the years following World War II. As more and more individuals came to the city in quest of better economic prospects, its population exploded. Hong Kong’s reputation as a global hub for finance, trade, and commerce owes much to the fast expansion of the city’s industrial and service industries.

The People’s Republic of China was recognized by Britain as China’s sole legitimate government after it was admitted to the UN in 1972. Hong Kong was restored to Chinese authority in 1997 per the terms of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which was signed in 1984 by Britain and China.

Confiscation to China

On July 1, 1997, after more than 150 years of British rule, Hong Kong was transferred to Chinese authority. Hong Kong’s status change to that of a Special Administrative Region of China marked by its independence in law, currency, and governance from the mainland was accomplished without incident. After the handover, Hong Kong was to remain an autonomous region with a capitalist economic system for 50 years under the “one country, two systems” philosophy.

New Consequences

Hong Kong has been at the center of various political and social debates in recent years. Many Hong Kongers, fearing for the city’s independence and freedoms, took to the streets in 2019 to protest a proposed extradition law. Protests lasted for months, during which time the government responded violently, earning considerable worldwide criticism.

A new national security law was passed in 2020, severely endangering Hong Kong’s autonomy. Many people feel the law threatens Hong Kong’s independence and freedoms and have spoken out against it.

Despite these obstacles, Hong Kong continues to be a thriving and exciting metropolis.

Racism in Hong Kong has deep roots that may be traced back to the colonial era of the city. Minority groups in the city have been negatively impacted by racial prejudice ever since the entrance of British conquerors in the 19th century.

Racism’s Colonial Origins

Racism in Hong Kong has its origins in the city’s colonial era. The First Opium War, which occurred in the middle of the nineteenth century, resulted in the British Empire acquiring Hong Kong. The city grew rapidly economically and urbanized under British administration, attracting people from all over the world, particularly South and Southeast Asia and China.

White British subjects were placed at the top of the racial and ethnic hierarchy that the colonial authority had established. The British, for instance, used a “divide and rule” approach that incited animosity and war by setting different ethnic groups against one another.

The colonial administration also formally enforced policies of racial discrimination and segregation, such as the “Victoria Peak Clause,” which barred people of color from settling in the city’s upper-class neighborhoods. It didn’t help that the government actively discriminated against indigenous enterprises in favor of British and European ones.

Racism After Colonialism

Racism and prejudice have persisted in Hong Kong even after the end of British colonial authority in 1997. Systemic discrimination is still a problem in many parts of society, including the educational system, housing market, and job market, especially for those of South Asian and African origin.

The “Chinese Only” policy, in which many landlords and property owners refuse to rent to or sell to anyone who are not of Chinese origin, is an example of post-colonial racism in Hong Kong. This policy has exacerbated the segregation of the city’s minority populations by making it harder for non-Chinese minorities to buy housing.

The lack of diversity in Hong Kong’s political and social institutions is another manifestation of post-colonial racism. Minorities make up around 8% of the city’s population but are vastly underrepresented in positions of power and influence.

There has been significant worry in recent years that anti-immigrant and xenophobic attitude is on the rise in Hong Kong. The current inflow of mainland Chinese immigrants has exacerbated this feeling, resulting to friction between the native population and the newcomers.

Work Done to Fight Racism

There have been initiatives in recent years to combat racism in Hong Kong. Campaigns to raise public consciousness, anti-discrimination laws, and grassroots organizing by marginalized groups all fall under this category.

When it comes to employment, education, and the supply of goods and services, the Hong Kong government outlawed racial, ethnic, and national origin discrimination in 2008 with the passage of the Race Discrimination Ordinance. However, the law’s enforceability and the severity of penalties for violators have been called into question.

Minority communities in Hong Kong have also taken action on the ground to combat racism and prejudice. Protests, social media campaigns, and community organization are all examples. The South Asian community, for instance, has protested and used social media to bring attention to the problem of “Chinese Only” signs and other forms of discrimination against people of Asian descent.