For British- What do you think about hong kong from a political point of view?

Question

Do you think Hong Kong still have a close connection with the UK?
What do people in Britain feel about HK after handover?

I visited HK recently, I found that a lot of buildings and places still named under the british influence. For instance
Queen Elizebeth Hospotal
Queen Victoria Habor
A district of Prince Edward

ladymoonlight - I couldnt figure it out why are you so angry?? omg

Answer 1

Loosing out on the entry point to the largest free market on the Eastern hemisphere is not good economic policy. Potentially one billion customers in relation to the whole of the United Kingdom would have provided a head start. Loss of economic power translates into loss of political clout and room for maneuver.

The Governor was certainly not pleased with the handover given personal loss of status and power as 'mini-monarch' on the colony.

The history of opening up the oriental harbour does not bode well in the records of the imperial state up north. Not to mention the early Boxer rebellion and trade of heroine through the then Scottish tradesmen now known as Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

Hong Kong's affiliations with the UK was predominantly enforced through favourable trade terms at gun point since inception. This mood and presence has long since died down. The older generations will remember being held at gun point, the economic mobile would have left the country but returned to trade with China, whilst the disenchanted remains aloof either which way that provides a better livelihood.

Ill gotten gains or righteous territorial expansion ? All eyes to Dutch colony Macau.

Answer 2

The last I heard the colony of Hong Kong was ceded to the British because of the Opium Wars - the British being the biggest dealers in drugs during the time of their Empire. They won the war and they were granted use of Hong Kong. It was a black chapter in British history. Slaves and drugs. The British Empire built on such trade.

I am glad that China has now authority over this territory. I lived there for 4 years myself. Colonies (like the British monarchy) are fossils of the past. Some people collect them. They get passionate about them. I think Chinese people in Hong Kong should know the truth about how the British first came to rule that territory. But so should the British.

Answer 3

These days, people in the UK never think about Hong Kong. Mostly because they are worried about being blown up by muslims. My impression of HK - and I have been there a few times - is that it is an asian London. I loved the buzz to the place, and found it to be a beautiful place. It has one of the best aircraft approaches in the world. Also great dim sum!

Answer 4

Speaking as an average Englishman, I can honestly say that Hong Kong is rarely spoken of. As an outpost of capitalist enterprise it did not enter into the everyday lives of the British `man on the street .` Bank and financial institutions may have shed a tear, but who cares? We do not share a culture or lifestyle, you do not play cricket, Hong Kong is the dead cousin we never met or knew only as a squatter in another persons back yard !! Of course cultural relics can still be found, marks of Empire are everywhere, just like Shanghai, but we are never coming back.

Answer 5

I don't think anything about it. Its thousands of miles away.

What does someone in Hong Kong think about Wales? Well thats probably about the same as I think about Hong Kong.

As for it still having "British" place names etc well thats up to the Hong Kong people to change them if they want to. I ain't gonna apologise for that.

A friend of mine lived there for a while, teaching English to Chinese students. She said it was quite nice and quite westernised. Again, its up to the people of Hong Kong to change if if they don't like it. Its theirs now.

Answer 6

I hope you don`t think i`m trying to be nasty but in truth i never think anything about Hong Kong and all i know about it is they sell England little toys and things sorry you`ve made me feel not very nice now

Answer 7

there is no political view and never was, we shouldnt have been there and they shouldnt be here. every city has a china town in england so why shouldnt we have english streets over there. when times are hard for the chinese government they say dont buy british but when we say the same they shout discrimination. let them stick to there little gadgets and sell them to there own people and lets see how far they get, GOD i sound like my father, SORRY.

Answer 8

Excuse me. Didn't you just post this question earlier? I wrote out a long answer which seems to have completely disappeared. Somewhat annoying!

Answer 9

I think that since we handed over the buildings have just stayed the same......Maybe in the future things will change..