when did hong kong go back to china
Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong The Handover of Hong Kong (or simply "the Handover"), also known as "the Return" in mainland China, was the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China in a ceremony on 30 June 1997. The territory of Hong Kong comprised Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which were ceded to Britain in 1842 and 1860, respectively, and the New Territories, which was leased for 99 years in 1898. The retrocession of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was conducted to coincide with the expiration of the New Territories' lease at midnight on 30 June. The landmark event marked the end of British rule in Hong Kong, and is regarded by some as marking the end of the British Empire.
British Hong Kong British Hong Kong was the period during which Hong Kong was under British Crown rule from 1841 to 1997 (excluding the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945). It was established as a Crown colony and later designated a British Dependent Territory in 1981. Hong Kong Island was ceded to the United Kingdom by the Qing dynasty of China after the First Opium War (1839–42). The Kowloon Peninsula was added to the colony after the Second Opium War (1856–60). Finally, in 1898, the New Territories were added under a 99-year lease. Although Hong Kong Island and Kowloon were ceded to Britain in perpetuity, the New Territories – which comprised over 90 per cent of Hong Kong's land – had such a vital role in the economy that the British government agreed to transfer sovereignty of the entirety of Hong Kong to China upon the expiration of the lease in 1997. The transfer has been credited by some as marking the end of the British Empire.