On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was returned from British rule to the People's Republic of China with the promise of adopting a“one country, two systems” plan. Fifteen years after the return, how has Hong Kong fared, and what priorities will the new chief executive set?
The grand occasion of the 15th anniversary of the hand-over of Hong Kong back to China and the swearing in of the city's first new leader in seven years is culminated by a three-day visit to Hong Kong by President Hu Jintao, and his speech yesterday.
Term: From 2012 to 2017
Terms: From 2005 to 2012
Terms: 1996 to 2005
Tung: Confident of Hong Kong's future
On July 1, 1997, the transfer of sovereignty from United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China occurred, officially ending 156 years of British colonial rule. The ceremony was attended by then British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles of Wales and Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
The Asian financial crisis crept into Hong Kong in 1997. The city was soon preyed upon as an ATM machine by George Soros, a global financier. Property prices spiraled down by half and middle-class families panicked to find their assets turning into debts.
Hong Kongers did not fight alone. In March 1998, the former premier Zhu Rongji promised that the central government would protect Hong Kong from the financial crisis "at all costs" if needed. It was reported that Soros dropped his teacup upon hearing of Zhu's statement.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease in humans. Between November 2002 and July 2003, an outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide. Within weeks in early 2003, SARS spread from Hong Kong to infect individuals in 37 countries.
Medical supplies from the mainland not only addressed Hong Kong's need for material resources, but also encouraged its people to fight against SARS.
Hong Kong Disneyland, the U.S. Walt Disney Co.'s 11th theme park in the world and first in China, opened on September 12, 2005.
Equestrian competitions at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics were held from August 9 to August 21 at the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Sheung Yue River in Hong Kong.
