Handover of Hong Kong

The Handover of Hong Kong occurred on July 1, 1997, when Britain transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China. This shift marked the end of over 150 years of British colonial rule and established Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong retained a degree of autonomy, including its legal system, financial sector, and rights for 50 years. The handover aimed to ensure a smooth transition, balancing Hong Kong’s established institutions with integration into China's governance framework.