Hong Kong-The Handover to China
Background
On midnight June 30, 1997, Hong Kong's 155 years of British
Colonial rule came to an end. The 6 million plus residents are now part
of a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The
"handover" as it is called, came about according to a Joint Declaration
signed with Great Britain in 1984. In the Declaration, China promised a
"high degree of autonomy" with two systems (China and Hong Kong)
existing in one country (China) for the next 50 years.
Much discussion has taken place because of the "handover,"
for the citizens of Hong Kong and the world expressed both fear and hope
about the change. Many left Hong Kong before June 30, but many stayed.
Some believe the "handover" will help to open China as a market.
Just before the "handover," numbers of illegal immigrants into
Hong Kong from China increased, especially those for children, for some
believed that if they were in Hong Kong at the time of the "handover,"
they would be allowed to stay. Pro-democracy advocates worried what the
future would hold for Hong Kong's government. Would a democratic government
be allowed? Would there be "capital flight" from Hong Kong? Would
there be a "Tiananmen Square" in Hong Kong? Would there be at
least three years with few changes as one survey indicated? These are just
a few of the questions, feelings, and concerns expressed about the "handover,"
but answers to these questions may only be found in the years to come.
To help you and your students with research and discussions
on the changes in Hong Kong and the consequences for its citizens and the
world, we've made a list of web sites that will provide information and
links for you.
Grade Levels
The content of the suggested sites is appropriate for
use with students in high school or upper levels of middle school. Some
of the information on the sites might be used with students in Grades 3-6,
but teachers will have to select and modify as needed.
Web Site Locations
When connecting to the suggested sites and links from
the sites, be aware that some are news articles that may have been moved
to an archive area or taken off-line. Some of the sites, in addition, may
only be online during the transition period for Hong Kong.
Suggested Sites and Site Descriptions
Activities for Students
