How Britain Took Hong Kong

In the 1800s, China was weak and Britain was powerful. After China lost the First Opium

War in 1842, it was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanking. Under this treaty,

Hong Kong Island was handed over to Britain. Later, after more wars,

Britain took more land, including the New Territories, on a 99-year lease.

China didn’t give Hong Kong willingly — it was taken under pressure. That lease ended

in 1997, and Hong Kong was returned to China.