TNAG-1309-FCO40-1666-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 61

HISTORICAL

BACKGROUND

HONG KONG HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

1.

The First Anglo-Chinese (Opium) War originated from the

conflict between British pressure for an expansion of trade and the

opening of official relations and attempts of the Chinese to

restrict trade and their refusal to engage in diplomatic contacts on

an equal footing. It was triggered by a dispute over the import of

opium, the sale of which had become important to British traders in

order to finance the purchase of commodities from China. Hostilities led first to the Convention of Chuenpi (January 1841), under which Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain; following the

repudiation of the Chuenpi Convention by both the Chinese and the British Governments (Palmerston regarded it as inadequate), further hostilities ensued, leading to the Treaty of Nanking of

29 August 1842. This confirmed the cession of Hong Kong Island, as well as providing for Anglo-Chinese relations and for the

opening of Chinese ports for trade.

2.

In April 1843 Queen Victoria proclaimed Hong Kong a Colony and appointed as Governor Sir Henry Pottinger (previously Administrator and Plenipotentiary to China).

3.

The 1842 settlement proved unsatisfactory to both sides. Resulting friction led to the Second Opium War in 1857. Then in March 1860, during this conflict the Chinese Governor-General in Canton agreed to lease in perpetuity to the British Commissioner there the Kowloon peninsula and Stone cutters' Island. Following the Chinese Emperor's refusal to admit British and French representatives to secure the ratification of the Treaty of Tientsin signed in 1858, Peking was captured by an Anglo-French expeditionary force in October 1860. In the same

month the Treaty of Peking was concluded, providing for the