Hong Kong 20 Year Anniversary Celebrations

2017 is the year of the Rooster, it also marks 20 years since the UK handed over control of Hong Kong back to the Chinese government.

The Hong Kong vista. [Photo: VCG]

To celebrate the occasion the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in London is holding a number of events.

Coming up on the 7th of July is Music Interflow – A Dialogue of Two Cultures Innovative concert exploring the musical heritages of Britain and China – part of the Hong Kong Music Series.

Also on the 7th is Hong Kong Episodes. A dazzling blend of jazz, classical music and cinema.

More information on the events being held in London can be found here: https://hketolondon20.gov.hk/upcoming-events/

Speaking at an event to mark the anniversary China's Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming said: “On 1 July twenty years ago, the Governments of China and Britain held a handover ceremony to mark the return of Hong Kong. From that day on, China officially resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established.”

“I had the honour to attend the handover ceremony. At the emotional moment when the Chinese national flag was raised, my heart was full of pride and excitement. It was a moment simply beyond words and most unforgettable in my life.

Today, when I look back at the extraordinary journey Hong Kong has traveled, I can appreciate more deeply what Hong Kong's return truly means to Hong Kong, to China and to the world”.

On the night of 30th June 1997 Hong Kong was handed back to China at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Charles, who read a farewell speech on behalf of the Queen.

At the ceremony the Prince said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, China will tonight take responsibility for a place and a people which matter greatly to us all. The solemn pledges made before the world in the 1984 Joint Declaration guarantee the continuity of Hong Kong's way of life. For its part the United Kingdom will maintain its unwavering support for the Joint Declaration. Our commitment and our strong links to Hong Kong will continue, and will, I am confident, flourish, as Hong Kong and its people themselves continue to flourish.”

And the recent Queen's Birthday Honours demonstrates that the strong links have continued. Two Hong Kong residents were featured in her awards.

Andrew Weir, former Chairman of British Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to British commercial interests overseas.

Captain Kenneth Yau, Secretary, Royal British Legion & Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to ex-servicemen in Hong Kong.

British Consul-General Andrew Heyn said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Andrew Weir and Kenneth Yau for these very well deserved awards. Andrew has made an outstanding contribution to trade and investment links between Hong Kong and the UK, and Kenneth’s support to the ex-servicemen’s community of Hong Kong has made a measurable impact on the lives of hundreds of veterans and their dependants.”