British community from Macau takes refuge on board ships in the Hong Kong harbour after being warned that the Portugese government can no longer be responsible for their safety.

1841*

Hong Kong Island is ceded to the British on 20th January. Hong Kong starts developing into a commercial centre.

1856*

The second Anglo-Chinese war starts. (1856 - 1860)

1898*

New Territories given to Britain - lease for 99 years

1997*

Hong Kong handed back to China with a population of around seven million people.

*1840

The first Opium War between Britain and China starts.

(1840 - 1841)

*1843

Five Chinese ports were opened in October and Chinese were allowed free access to Hong Kong for trading purposes.

*1860

Britain gets the Kowloon Peninsula up to Boundary Street.

*1941

Second World war. Japanese take over Hong Kong on Christmas day. They keep Hong Kong for three years and eight months.

This picture is taken from the Hong Kong Year Book 1997.