Unbelievable Change in Hong Kong

Whenever people mention Hong Kong (HK), what will come up to your mind? It will probably be the amazing skyline, the financial center or food paradise, right? The city seems to be a very decent and dynamic city to accommodate. In fact, its population tripled during 1950-2001, increasing from 2.2 million to 6.7 million over the period. There are now seven million people sharing the city with a mass of 1,104 km².

What a highly populated city! Have you ever thought of the origin of Hong Kong? Can you imagine that it actually transformed from a fishing village in the past? How it developed into a cosmopolitan city nowadays? Here is the story:

Origin of the Name

The term "Hong Kong" literally refers to "fragrant harbour". The reference may due to the harbour waters sweetened by the fresh water from influx of Pearl River or the incense from factories lining the coast there in the old days.

When East Meets West

HK is located in the Southern coast of China. It was once an ordinary fishing village without any spotlight. In 1800s, due to the British victory over China in the First Opium War, HK became one of the British colonies with the advantage of the good geographical and natural virtues. This is the period when east meets west. The territory transitioned in the aspect of commerce, education and industry.

Japanese Occupation Era

However, HK continued to be a vulnerable place of war occupation thanks to the fall of the Qing Dynasty, occupied by Imperial Japan for 3 years and 8 months. This was a halt to the development of HK. Many people were deported to the famine and disease-ridden areas in the Mainland. Yet, mainland residents kept fleeing to HK owing to the terror of the second Sino-Japanese war in Mainland China. Finally, HK was liberated by joint British and Chinese troops in 1945. At this time, HK’s population shrunk to 1.6 million as a result of starvation and emigration.

Population Boom

Population boom starts off in 1949 as a consequence of the political instability of Mainland China, including Communist Revolution, Japan’s invasion, World War II, China’s civil war and the formation of Communist Party. Thousands and thousands of refugees fled to HK. At that time, Imperial Britain still kept HK for political reason.

With the labor force and capital brought by the refugees, especially from Shanghai, HK experienced unprecedented economic growth. It transformed from the entrepot trade to manufacturing industry. There were large squatter camps set up to provide home for the large group of mainland immigrants at that time. The number of the factories skyrocketed from 3,000 to 10,000. Many foreign companies moved their office from the Mainland to HK. There was a huge demand for labour. The remarkable textile industry supported the boost of the economy.

Hangover

The migration from Mainland China to HK continued until 1980s. The immigrants often took great personal risk to reach HK, driven by the economic disparities between two places. In 1997, the United Kingdom transferred the sovereignty back to the Chinese government. The uncertainty among the living situation change prompted many HK natives to migrate to all over the world, with an estimation of a million. However, many of them returned in the late 1990s as the growing and brilliant economic prospects.

Mordern Hong Kong

Due to the opening of Mainland China market, the factories in HK moved to the north for a lower cost of production. HK is no longer a manufacturing society. It consolidates as a commercial and tourism center in the South-East Asia region. Now, high life expectancy, freedom, high per-capita income, low crime rates, safe food, low taxation. . . . . . all these are the factors that attract people to reside in HK.

Future Development

The population of HK is expected to grow by more than a million in the next 20 years. After that, the ageing population and low birth rate will make it a grave challenge in the future.

The main source of the growth will be the Mainland new arrivals through the OWP scheme (the One Way Permit), allowing the family members of permanent HK residents living in China to reunite in Hong Kong. This accounts for 11 % of the population from 1983 to 2001. However, the steady decline in fertility rate leaves it to be one of the lowest birthrate places in the world. The reasons include the lower marriage rates, higher education attainment, increased women workforce and higher divorce rate. The United nation estimates that 26% of the population will be over 65 by 2013. The government endeavours to set up new measures to encourage fertility, such as reducing the cost of education and child care facilities.

photo credit: http://holidaysinhongkong.com/lib/3228/dhd_2.jpg

Sources:

‒            Endacott, G. B (1964). An Eastern Entrepot;: A Collection of Documents Illustrating the History of Hong Kong. Her Majesty's Stationary Office. p. 293. ASIN B0007J07G6.

‒            Tsang, Steve (1995). Government and Politics: A Documentary History of Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. p. 312. ISBN 962-209-392-2. 

‒            https://www.economy.com/dismal/article_free.asp?cid=237709&tid=ACB9CCCC-2B78-4852-AEC1-B8BAD5B597C9

‒            http://www.heritage.org/index/country/hongkong

‒            http://www.info.gov.hk/info/population/eng/pdf/chapter2_e.pdf