The city of Hong Kong

Wednesday, 27 June 2012 - 01:21 pm (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination:
Category/Kategorie: General
Reading Time:  30 minutes

© Mbaeckmann / Thomas doerfer

© Mbaeckmann / Thomas doerfer

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of the People’s Republic of China, the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China’s south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. With a land mass of 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) and a population of seven million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hong Kong’s population is 95 percent ethnic Chinese and 5 percent from other groups. Hong Kong’s Han Chinese majority originate mainly from the cities of Guangzhou and Taishan in the neighbouring Guangdong province.

Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839–42). Originally confined to Hong Kong Island, the colony’s boundaries were extended in stages to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and then the New Territories in 1898. It was occupied by Japan during the Pacific War, after which the British resumed control until 1997, when China resumed sovereignty. The region espoused minimum government intervention under the ethos of positive non-interventionism during the colonial era. The time period greatly influenced the current culture of Hong Kong, often described as “East meets West”, and the educational system, which used to loosely follow the system in England until reforms implemented in 2009.

Under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has a different political system from mainland China. Hong Kong’s independent judiciary functions under the common law framework. The Basic Law of Hong Kong, its constitutional document, which stipulates that Hong Kong shall have a “high degree of autonomy” in all matters except foreign relations and military defence, governs its political system. Although it has a burgeoning multi-party system, a small-circle electorate controls half of its legislature. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the head of government, is selected by a Selection Committee / Election Committee with 400 to 1200 members, during the first 20 years.

As one of the world’s leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade, and the currency, Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world. The lack of space caused demand for denser constructions, which developed the city to a centre for modern architecture and the world’s most vertical city. Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita income in the world. The dense space also led to a highly developed transportation network with public transport travelling rate exceeding 90 percent, the highest in the world. Hong Kong has numerous high international rankings in various aspects. For instance, its economic freedom, financial and economic competitiveness, quality of life, corruption perception, Human Development Index, etc., are all ranked highly. According to both UN and WHO estimates, Hong Kong has the second longest life expectancy of any country in the world.

Read more on Hong Kong Administration, DiscoverHongKong.com, Hong Kong Airport, History of Hong Kong, Districts of Hong Kong, Democratic development in Hong Kong, Architecture of Hong Kong, List of tallest buildings in Hong Kong, Economy of Hong Kong, Tourism in Hong Kong, Culture of Hong Kong, Lingnan culture, Hong Kong cuisine, Cinema of Hong Kong, Music of Hong Kong, Sport in Hong Kong, Outline of Hong Kong, Handover of Hong Kong, Golden Bauhinia Square, Hong Kong–Mainland China conflict (CNN, 22 May 2020: Hang Seng Index has worst day since 2015 as tensions flare up again between China and the West, BBC, 22 May 2020: China security law ‘could be end of Hong Kong’, CNN, 22 May 2020: China to propose hugely controversial national security law in Hong Kong, France24, 22 May 2020: Hong Kong activists call for protest after China vows stronger security enforcement, CNN, 22 May 2020: Businesses fear the worst for Hong Kong’s future, BBC, 22 May 2020: NPC: China moves to impose controversial Hong Kong security law, CNN, 22 May 2020: China’s proposed national security law could end Hong Kong as we know it, The Guardian, 23 May 2020: Chris Patten: China’s security laws a betrayal of Hong Kong people, The Guardian, 23 May 2020: Global outrage erupts over China’s ‘draconian‘ security law for Hong Kong, The New York Times, 23 May 2020: ‘I Am Just Hong Kong’: A City’s Fate in China’s Hands, France24, 24 May 2020: Hong Kong police fire tear gas at protesters opposed to China’s security law, CNN, 24 May 2020: Hong Kong protest over proposed national security law met with tear gas, The New York Times, 24 May 2020: Hong Kong Police Fire Tear Gas as Protesters Resist China’s Grip, France24, 26 May 2020: Hong Kong’s leader says China’s security law will not affect city’s rights, freedoms, CNN, 26 May 2020: China’s military promises to uphold ‘national sovereignty’ as more Hong Kong protests expected, The Guardian, 26 May 2020: China’s military says it is prepared to step in, as protests grow, France24, 26 May 2020: Between old and new empires, Hong Kong’s fate exposes stakes in Covid-19 era, CNN, 26 May 2020: China’s military promises to uphold ‘national sovereignty’ as more Hong Kong protests expected, The Guardian, 27 May 2020: Hong Kong crisis: at least 360 arrested as China protests grow, CNN, 28 May 2020: China approves controversial national security law for Hong Kong, The New York Times, 28 May 2020: China Approves Plan to Rein In Hong Kong, Politico.eu, 28 May 2020: EU won’t follow Trump into a trade war over Hong Kong, France24, 29 May 2020: US, UK step up pressure on China over Hong Kong security law, BBC, 29 May 2020: Hong Kong: China fury amid global pressure over security law, Politico.eu, 29 May 2020: UK sets out Hong Kong ‘path to citizenship’ plan, NPR, 29 May 2020: 4 Takeaways From Beijing’s Hong Kong Power Grab, The Guardian, 29 May 2020: China threatens ‘countermeasures’ against UK over Hong Kong crisis, Politico.eu, 29 May 2020: Borrell: China’s move in Hong Kong doesn’t endanger investment deals, NPR, 29 May 2020: Trump, Retaliating Against Beijing, Revokes Privileges For Hong Kong, The New York Times, 29 May 2020: Trump Moves to Strip Hong Kong of Special U.S. Relationship, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: Hong Kong and Taiwan are cultural powerhouses. That terrifies Beijing., The Times, 3 June 2020: PM offers hope of refuge to 3m Hong Kong people, France24, 3 June 2020: UK-China row escalates as Johnson pledges asylum for Hong Kongers, BBC, 3 June 2020: UK to change immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes law, CNN, 3 June 2020: Boris Johnson promises UK will provide Hong Kongers path to citizenship after national security fears, CNN, 4 June 2020: Hong Kong marks Tiananmen massacre for what many fear will be the last time, France24, 4 June 2020: Hong Kong marks Tiananmen crackdown amid virus vigil ban (1989 Tiananmen Square protests), The Guardian, 4 June 2020: Hong Kong protesters hold banned Tiananmen vigil as anthem law is passed, DW, 18 August 2020: Hong Kong: National security law targets overseas activists, The Atlantic, 1 December 2020: The Nazi Inspiring China’s Communists, DW, 2 December 2020: Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong and two others jailed for role in pro-democracy protests, CNN, 2 December 2020: Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong sentenced to 13 months in prison over 2019 protest, The Guardian, 2 December 2020: Hong Kong: Activist Joshua Wong jailed for 13 and a half months over protest, The Washington Post, 2 December 2020: The jailing of three opposition leaders is another milestone in China’s crushing of Hong Kong, DW, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai, pro-democracy tycoon, in custody on fraud charge, France24, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong media mogul and activist Jimmy Lai detained on fraud charges, The Guardian, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong: Pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai denied bail on fraud charge, NPR, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Denied Bail For Alleged Fraud, Arab News, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai in custody after fraud charge, DW, 8 December 2020: Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy activists in widening crackdown, DW, 8 December 2020: US slaps new sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong, France24, 11 December 2020: Former Hong Kong lawmaker seeks asylum in US, NPR, 11 December 2020: Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong Media Mogul, Charged Under National Security Law, France24, 12 December 2020: Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai charged under security law, The Guardian, 12 December 2020: Hong Kong: Democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai denied bail, DW, 12 December 2020: Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai denied bail on ‘foreign collusion’ charge, CNN, 17 December 2020: The exiles and the inmates: The heart-wrenching hand dealt to Hong Kong’s democracy activists, The Guardian, 29 December 2020: Hong Kong Teenager jailed for China flag insult, The Guardian, 30 December 2020: Hong Kong: China jails 10 who fled by boat to Taiwan for up to three years, The New York Times, 30 December 2020: Hong Kong Protesters Who Fled by Boat Are Sentenced to Prison, DW, 6 January 2021: Hong Kong: Police arrest over 50 pro-democracy activists in crackdown, France24, 6 January 2021: Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested under national security law, BBC, 6 January 2021: National security law: Hong Kong rounds up 53 pro-democracy activists, The Guardian, 6 January 2021: Hong Kong Dozens of pro-democracy figures arrested in sweeping crackdown, The Atlantic, 6 January 2021: Targeting Democracy, DW, 8 January 2021: Hong Kong arrests: Are China’s intimidation tactics working?, The Guardian, 10 January 2021: Hong Kong: Security law being used to ‘eliminate dissent’ say US, UK, Australia and Canada, DW, 29 January 2021: China ‘will no longer recognize’ British passports for Hong Kong residents, France24, 29 January 2021: China to ‘no longer recognise’ British National (Overseas) passport for Hong Kongers, Al Jazeera, 29 January 2021: China will ‘no longer recognise’ UK passport for Hong Kong people, Arab News, 31 January 2021: Thousands flee Hong Kong for UK, fearing China crackdown, The Guardian, 31 January 2021: Hong Kong: Leave before it’s too late, say those who now call Britain home, The Guardian, 13 February 2021: Hong Kong Alarm over proposed law that could ban anyone from leaving, The Guardian, 23 February 2021: Hong Kong plans to make politicians swear oath of loyalty to Beijing, DW, 28 February 2021: Hong Kong: 47 dissidents charged with ‘subversion’, France24, 28 February 2021: Hong Kong detains dozens of pro-democracy activists for violating new national security law, Al Jazeera, 28 February 2021: Hong Kong police charge dozens of activists with security crime, CNN, 1 March 2021: Hong Kong protesters come out as 47 pro-democracy figures appear in court, The Guardian, 5 March 2021: ‘Hong Kong is crumbling’: Seven days that crushed city’s last resistance, DW, 5 March 2021: EU slams proposed Hong Kong electoral reforms, France24, 5 March 2021: China to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system at annual party congress, BBC, 5 March 2021: China NPC: Beijing to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system, The Guardian, 5 March 2021: Hong Kong: China unveils electoral changes as Beijing tightens grip, The Hill, 5 March 2021: Uyghurs tell International Olympic Committee that China Olympics should be canceled, The Times, 6 March 2021: China sounds death knell for democracy in Hong Kong, The Guardian, 10 March 2021: ‘Lifeboat plans’: Help Hong Kong residents flee before it’s too late, fugitive democracy figure urges, DW, 11 March 2021: Opinion: China’s autocrats end democracy in Hong Kong, France24, 12 March 2021: Chinese parliament tightens control over Hong Kong in elections overhaul, DW, 13 March 2021: UK says China noncompliant with Hong Kong joint declaration, The Guardian, 13 March 2021: Hong Kong: UK accuses China of breaching joint declaration, The Atlantic, 22 March 2021: What the Hong Kong Protesters’ Trial Reveals About Beijing, Xinhua, 25 March 2021: China, Hungary agree to strengthen cooperation in various fields, DW, 26 March 2021: UK defends Hong Kong passport rights against China, France24, 30 March 2021: Beijing imposes sweeping overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system, The Guardian, 30 March 2021: Hong Kong: Beijing cuts directly elected seats in radical overhaul, DW, 1 April 2021: Hong Kong pro-democracy activists found guilty, France24, 1 April 2021: Hong Kong court convicts nine veteran pro-democracy figures over 2019 rally, CNN, 8 April 2021: UK unveils $59M fund to support Hong Kongers as protest leader Nathan Law granted asylum, DW, 8 April 2021: Hong Kong: China says UK is ‘sheltering criminals’, DW, 15 April 2021: Hong Kong: Top Beijing official slams foreign meddling, Reuters, 16 April 2021: Hungary blocks EU statement criticising China over Hong Kong, diplomats say, US News, 16 April 2021: Hungary Blocks EU Statement Criticising China Over Hong Kong, Diplomats Say, France24, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai among democracy leaders jailed for protests, BBC, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months for pro-democracy protests, DW, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong: Pro-democracy activists jailed for illegal assembly, The Guardian, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong Pro-democracy figures given jail terms of up to 18 months, The Times, 30 April 2021: Young losing hope in Hong Kong’s future, France24, 21 May 2021: Leaving Hong Kong: The young activists going into exile, BBC, 26 May 2021: From protests to ‘patriots’: Why China is crushing Hong Kong dissent, The Guardian, 2 June 2021: ‘No political story allowed’: Hong Kong broadcaster falls silent on sensitive subjects, The Guardian, 4 June 2021: Hong Kong: Vigil leader arrested as 7,000 police enforce ban on Tiananmen anniversary protests, DW, 4 June 2021: Hong Kong activist detained amid Tiananmen vigil clampdown, The Guardian, 4 June 2021: Hong Kong: City finds new ways to remember Tiananmen Square amid vigil ban, DW, 4 June 2021: Hong Kong marks Tiananmen anniversary — in pictures, The Guardian, 5 June 2021: Microsoft blocks Bing from showing image results for Tiananmen ‘tank man’, DW, 11 June 2021: Hong Kong moves to censor films on national security grounds, France24, 17 June 2021: Hong Kong police raid pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, arrest five, The Guardian, 17 June 2021: Hong Kong: Police arrest editor-in-chief of Apple Daily newspaper in morning raids, CNN, 17 June 2021: Hong Kong police declare Apple Daily newsroom a crime scene as editors and executives arrested under national security law, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Hong Kong: Queues to buy Apple Daily copies after editor-in-chief arrested, Arab News, 19 June 2021: Hong Kong pro-democracy media executives denied bail under security law, BBC, 25 June 2021: The students calling out China on Australia’s campuses, The Atlantic, 24 June 2021: A Eulogy for the Free Press, The Guardian, 26 June 2021: Hong Kong New police chief calls for law to ban ‘hostility towards police’, France24, 28 June 2021: Former Apple Daily journalist arrested at airport while trying to leave Hong Kong, CNN, 30 June 2021: One year after Hong Kong’s national security law, residents feel Beijing’s tightening grip, France24, 29 July 2021: Pro-democracy Hong Kong radio host ‘Fast Beat’ goes on trial for sedition, The Times, 30 July 2021: Hong Kong worn down by the slow death of freedom, The Guardian, 31 July 2021: Hong Kong Man arrested for allegedly booing Chinese anthem while watching Olympics, Irish Times, 31 July 2021: Hong Kong police arrest man for Chinese anthem ‘insult’ while watching Olympics, The Times, 14 August 2021: Hong Kong’s population shrinks after China’s national security law, France24, 15 August 2021: Hong Kong group behind huge democracy rallies disbands amid China’s clampdown, France24, 17 August 2021: Hong Kong leader tells legal body to stay out of politics, The Guardian, 18 August 2021: Hong Kong: Four students arrested for ‘advocating terrorism’, The Guardian, 25 August 2021: Hong Kong: Censors to scour old films for subversive themes under new law, Global Times, 6 September 2021: Plan will deepen opening-up of Qianhai, The Guardian, 7 September 2021: Hong Kong: international companies reconsider future in wake of security law, DW, 19 September 2021: Hong Kong: ‘Patriots only’ election starts without pro-democracy candidates, France24, 19 September 2021: Select Hong Kong residents vote in election designed so that ‘only patriots’ prevail, DW, 25 September 2021: Hong Kong: Tiananmen Square vigil group disbands amid crackdown, The Guardian, 9 October 2021: Hong Kong: University orders removal of Tiananmen Square massacre statue, CNN, 9 October 2021: Hong Kong University to remove ‘Pillar of Shame’ Tiananmen Square sculpture, DW, 16 October 2021: China pressures Hong Kong in dispute over Tiananmen sculpture, The Atlantic, 20 October 2021: How Hong Kong’s Elite Turned on Democracy, The Atlantic, 21 October 2021: What the Loss of Freedom Feels Like), France24, 30 October 2021: With heightened rhetoric, is US moving away from ‘strategic ambiguity’ on Taiwan? (it should be kept in mind, that China isn’t only a threat to Taiwan, but to every democratic country. Just have a look at what Tibet, Hong Kong, etc. have become), The Guardian, 23 November 2021: Hong Kong: Activist Tony Chung jailed under national security law, The Times, 26 November 2021: 90,000 from Hong Kong apply to British visa scheme, CNN, 27 November 2021: Why wiping out Hong Kong’s opposition may have cost China a whole generation in Taiwan, Gulf Times, 3 December 2021: Didi begins plan for US delisting, Hong Kong share sale, France24, 3 December 2021: Ride-hailing giant Didi exits New York stock exchange, bowing to regulatory pressure from China, DW, 5 December 2021: How is Beijing’s crackdown changing Hong Kong?, The Times, 13 December 2021: Hong Kong media tycoon receives further jail sentence, DW, 14 December 2021: UK receives 88,000 resettlement requests from Hong Kong, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Hong Kong ‘patriots’ election casts doubt over democracy as city enters new era, DW, 17 December 2021: The Hong Kong election that’s being called a ‘selection’, France24, 18 December 2021: Hong Kong officials put pressure on turnout in ‘patriots’ election, The New York Times, 18 December 2021: How Hong Kong’s ‘Patriots Only’ Elections Bolster Beijing’s Grip, Xinhua, 18 December 2021: Hong Kong ready to embrace new dawn with milestone election, BBC, 19 December 2021: Hong Kong: Why the Legco elections are so controversial, The Guardian, 19 December 2021: Hong Kong: Appeal for votes in ‘patriots’ election after low early turnout, BBC, 19 December 2021: Hong Kong: LegCo vote after electoral overhaul, France24, 19 December 2021: Turnout appears low for Hong Kong election held under new ‘patriots only’ rules, The New York Times, 19 December 2021: China Really Wants People to Vote in Hong Kong’s Election, The Hill, 19 December 2021: Hong Kong sees record low turnout in ‘patriots’-only election, DW, 19 December 2021: Hong Kong polls see record low turnout in vote for ‘patriots only’ legislators, DW, 20 December 2021: Were Hong Kong’s ‘patriots only’ elections a sham?, The Guardian, 20 December 2021: Hong Kong: Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong ‘patriots’-only elections, The Atlantic, 20 December 2021: Why Authoritarian Regimes Bother With Elections, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Western allies condemn Hong Kong election over ‘erosion’ of democracy, The Times, 22 December 2021: Xi heaps praise on Hong Kong boss, France24, 23 December 2021: Hong Kong memorial to victims of Tiananmen Square dismantled (if someone still believes that they can see something good about the Communist Party dictatorship, they now have a problem with their own point of view at least), BBC, 23 December 2021: Memorial to Tiananmen Square massacre dismantled, The Guardian, 23 December 2021: Tiananmen Square: Outcry as Hong Kong University memorial to victims is removed, The Times, 23 December 2021: Tiananmen Square statue removed by Hong Kong university, Los Angeles Times, 23 December 2021: Hong Kong removes sculpture commemorating Tiananmen Square massacre, The Washington Post, 27 December 2021: Hong Kong is clinging to ‘zero covid’ and extreme quarantine. Talent is leaving in droves., DW, 28 December 2021: Hong Kong: Police arrest 6 over ‘seditious publications’, BBC, 29 December 2021: Hong Kong news website shuts as staff arrested, DW, 29 December 2021: Hong Kong: Police arrest reporters over ‘seditious publications’, The Guardian, 29 December 2021: Speed of Stand News shutdown sends chilling signal to Hong Kong’s media, France24, 29 December 2021: Hong Kong’s Stand News to shut down after police raid, arrests, The Times, 29 December 2021: ‘Seditious’ Hong Kong pro-democracy website shuts after police raid, CNN, 1 January 2022: Hong Kong’s statues are disappearing, but their symbolism may prove harder to erase, The Sunday Times, 2 January 2022: Covid gives China the perfect excuse to help Hong Kong self-isolate from democracy, France24, 2 January 2022: Hong Kong independent news outlet closes to ‘ensure safety’, DW, 4 January 2022: Hong Kong: Tiananmen Square vigil activist sentenced to 15 months in jail, DW, 10 January 2022: Hong Kong: Journalists remain defiant despite clampdown on media, The Guardian, 11 January 2022: ‘We fought the good fight’: Journalists in Hong Kong reel from assault on media, BBC, 29 January 2022: Hong Kong: One of city’s last Tiananmen Square memorials covered up, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: Hong Kong: Government says commenting on Covid strategy is not illegal, CNN, 24 March 2022: Nearly half of foreign businesses in Hong Kong are planning to relocate, The Times, 25 March 2022: Hong Kong brain drain as thousands flee Covid and draconian laws, The Times, 30 March 2022: UK judges quit Hong Kong court over security law, The Guardian, 30 March 2022: UK judges withdraw from Hong Kong’s court of final appeal, The Times, 1 April 2022: Beijing tells Britain to ditch ‘colonial mindset’ over Hong Kong (*hahaha* these Chinese shit heads are sometimes funny), The Atlantic, 7 April 2022: The Final Blow to Hong Kong, DW, 25 April 2022: Hong Kong Foreign Correspondent’s Club suspends human rights award over legal fears, The Times, 29 April 2022: Hong Kong faces even stricter security laws under John Lee, The National, 4 May 2022: China sharpens the cleaver as a game is played to split HSBC, France24, 6 May 2022: China to install former security chief John Lee as Hong Kong leader, DW, 6 May 2022: Hong Kong election: Will the crackdown on rights and freedoms continue?, The Guardian, 8 May 2022: Hong Kong: EU voices concerns as former security chief made new leader, The Atlantic, 9 May 2022: Hong Kong’s Language of ‘Democracy’, The Times, 24 May 2022: Cardinal in court over fund to help Hong Kong democracy activists, The Guardian, 26 May 2022: Hong Kong: Judicial independence under systematic attack, legal figures warn, France24, 4 June 2022: Hong Kong stifles memories of Tiananmen Square on anniversary (1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre), The New Yorker, 4 June 2022: Memories of Tiananmen Square, The Guardian, 4 June 2022: Hong Kong: Arrests as citizens mark Tiananmen Square anniversary, The New York Times, 4 June 2022: Mourning Tiananmen’s Victims, and the Hong Kong That Was, DW, 4 June 2022: China: ‘Brave’ Tiananmen protesters will not be forgotten, US says, The Guardian, 4 June 2022: Taiwan: Hundreds gather to mark Tiananmen Square anniversary, The Atlantic, 23 June 2022: Farewell to Hong Kong and Its Big Lie, The Times, 25 June 2022: Twenty-five years ago there was hope. Now Hong Kong knows better (according to the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, which came into force in 1987 and is enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law, Hong Kong was to be run as a democracy under the title One Country, two Systems for 50 years. This has not been the case since 2020 at the latest. The Chinese government has instead forcibly imposed the Chinese dictatorship on Hong Kong and installed a puppet government dependent on Beijing. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers have fled and others are waiting for their opportunity to leave the country as quickly as possible), DW, 25 June 2022: China’s Xi to attend Hong Kong handover anniversary, CNN, 30 June 2022: Xi Jinping brought Hong Kong to heel. Now he’s back in a city transformed, France24, 30 June 2022: China’s Xi visits Hong Kong for first time since crackdown on pro-democracy protests, DW, 30 June 2022: China’s Xi Jinping in Hong Kong ahead of handover anniversary, CNN, 1 July 2022: Xi Jinping crushed Hong Kong’s opposition. Now he claims handover to China marked ‘beginning of true democracy’ (one of the sadest days in Hong Kong’s history. The complete downfall from freedom and democracy to Chinese dictatorship), France24, 1 July 2022: Xi hails China’s rule at 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover, The Guardian, 1 July 2022: Hong Kong: Xi Jinping hails China’s rule on 25th anniversary of handover, Irish Times, 2 July 2022: Chinese embassy in Ireland taunts Boris Johnson over Brexit and NI Protocol, The Times, 14 July 2022: Hong Kong grandmother who waved Union Jack at anti-China protest jailed for seven months, DW, 22 July 2022: Why is Hong Kong imprisoning more activists?, CNN, 1 August 2022: ‘Win hearts and minds’ in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Chinese leader Xi urges Communist Party (in what parallel universe would the Chinese dictatorship be able to win the trust of the people of Hong Kong and the Republic of Taiwan? In Hong Kong, the Chinese installed a puppet government that accompanied the transition from democracy to the Chinese dictatorship and handed over their own people to the Chinese gangs of murderers. Of course, this has also been observed very closely in Taiwan, where, quite rightly, they have always had absolutely no trust in China. The only way to regain some confidence would be to give Hong Kong citizens back their democratic rights and fully implement the agreed motto of “One People, Two Systems” and finally leave the sovereign and democratic Republic of Taiwan alone. Understandably, the Taiwanese do not want anything to do with China and certainly do not want to end up under a Chinese dictatorship), The Times, 11 August 2022: Break-up of HSBC ‘to free $35bn’, CNN, 12 August 2022: Hong Kong suffers biggest ever population drop as exodus accelerates, DW, 19 August 2022: Xiao Jianhua: Chinese-Canadian tycoon jailed for 13 years, 2019 Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests, Wikitravel Hong Kong, Wikivoyage Hong Kong and Wikipedia Hong Kong. Photo by Wikipedia Commons.




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Colonial street © Cbrough
The port city of Cartagena in Colombia

Cartagena de Indias is a large Caribbean beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast...

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