2007-02-19 15:07:10 · 3 answers · asked by J 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
You have asked a good question that reveals a bit of 'unknown' history. The 'fate' of a great many nations was decided at the end of the war, primarily at the Yalta conference in February 1945. China was interested in taking back Hong Kong (which had been taken from them by the British in a series of 'unjust' wars), and Roosevelt was supporting the Chinese push. Roosevelt was very interested in dismantling all of the colonial empires in the world and giving folk back their liberty. It was actually Stalin who told Roosevelt that the British wouldn't tolerate such a move, and so Roosevelt never took it up directly with the British.
Why did the British want to keep it? Basically they regarded it (at that time) as 'theirs'. It was a trading port, and a military base and it's population was regarded (at the time) as British citizens (even if they didn't have voting rights etc). Even in the 60's when I was there it was regarded by the British as a British asset and fiercely defended.
2007-02-19 16:21:57 · answer #1 · answered by nandadevi9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it was part of their empire. They did the same with all their colonies
They originally leased Hong Kong from China until 1999
2007-02-20 01:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To have a good foothold in the opium trade in order to finance their covert operations.
2007-02-19 23:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Scuba 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋