TNAG-0279-FCO40-315-Visit-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Aff-1970 — Page 84

Descriptive Note No. 13

VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG

APRIL 1970

History and Constitution

History

The land area of Hong Kong is approximately 400 square

miles in extent. Hong Kong Island (29 square miles) was

The

ceded by China to Britain as a trading station in 1841.

Kowlcon Peninsular together with Stonecutters Island, Green

Island and Ap Lei Chau Island were added in 1860 under the

Convention of Peking. In 1898 the New Territories (approximately 365 square miles), which consist of the rural

areas north of Kowloon together with more than 230 other

islands, were leased by China to Great Britain for 99 years.

2. On 8 December, 1941, the same day as their attack on

Pearl Harbour, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong from the main-

land. After stubborn resistance the Colony surrendered on

Christmas Day: the subsequent Japanese occupation lasted three

years and seven months.

Constitution

3. Hong Kong is administered by the Governor assisted by

entirely nominated Executive and Legislative Councils, over

which the Governor presides. There is no elected represen-

tation in these two Councils.

4。 The Executive Council consists of five ex-officio members

and one official member, together with eight unofficial members.

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