A study of Hong Kong history reveals that the city was a Chinese Empire before the British came in following to the Opium Wars of the 19th century. The First Opium War came to an end with the treaty of Nanking in 1841. As per the terms of the treaty, Hong Kong Island went under the British administration. Sir Henry Pottinger was elected as the first Governor of Hong Kong.
According to the early history of Hong Kong city, under the British rule, the place witnessed prosperity. Before the arrival of the British, South China Sea served as the port for the pirates and other travelers. The history of Hong Kong tells that with the British undertaking, a conflict developed between the Chinese and the British. This resulted in the Second Opium War. In the course of time, the British established its hegemony over the New Territories of Hong Kong in 1898.
Hong Kong also served as the refuge base for the Chinese in the early part of the 19th century. Hong
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Kong was handed over to the Japanese army by the British on 25th December, 1941. However, with Japan surrendering Hong Kong in 1945, the British wanted its territory back. The British reign in Hong Kong continued till July of 1997, when the Chinese took over the territory.
According to the treaty between the British and Chinese in 1984, Hong Kong was granted autonomy especially in the economic sector. The modern history of Hong Kong reveals that a pro-Beijing political party named Democratic Party for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) was formed. This party brought the Legislative Council under its domination after the first election under the Chinese hegemony. Tung Chee Hwa, who was elected as the Chief Executive in 2002 for the second time, resigned on 10th March, 2005.
Chief Secretary Donald Tsang became the Acting Chief Executive on 21st of June, 2005 for a period of 2 years. Today, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of PRC (People's Republic of China).
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