How did Hong Kong, a key port in China, become a British territory and then eventually leave British control? Given the current issues in Hong Kong, this is a loaded question, and one that can only be addressed by a Hong Konger. In this episode, my guest and I discuss how the British flooded China with opium in the 1830's, utilizing its addictive nature as fuel for the Opium Wars. This pivotal moment in Chinese history led to the fall of Hong Kong to British colonization. We discuss the contrasting culture in mainland China versus Hong Kong over decades of British rule, and my guest shares which factors led to Hong Kong's current shift back to Chinese governance..
How did Hong Kong, a key port in China, become a British territory and then eventually leave British control? Given the current issues in Hong Kong, this is a loaded question, and one that can only be addressed by a Hong Konger.
In this episode, my guest and I discuss how the British flooded China with opium in the 1830's, utilizing its addictive nature as fuel for the Opium Wars. This pivotal moment in Chinese history led to the fall of Hong Kong to British colonization.
We discuss the contrasting culture in mainland China versus Hong Kong over decades of British rule, and my guest shares which factors led to Hong Kong's current shift back to Chinese governance.