Is Hong Kong Part Of China? Lets Find Out...
With all this stuff going on between Hong Kong and China currently, I wanted to know what exactly is up between these two. Are they separate countries or one country? And where are they exactly located in reference to each other?
A lot is going on in the news here in the USA about them. It can be very confusing as to what is actually going on and why. So many people seem to have opinions on the subject that it makes things confusing.
SO, I decided to do some research. It turns out they are and are not two countries at same time thus making it even more complicated. Here is an article about how China and Hong Kong relate to each other and why. I found several but I liked this one the best because it was simply put...
https://www.tripsavvy.com/what-country-is-hong-kong-in-1535874
Despite being the world's most visited city, the most Googled question about Hong Kong regards what country it's actually in -- China, or no? It's surprising because the answer isn't quite as simple as you might imagine. With its own money, passport and immigration channels, and legal system, Hong Kong isn't quite a part of China. But with Chinese flags flying from government buildings and Beijing appointing the Chief Executive who runs the city, it isn't quite independent either.
Officially, the answer to this question is China. However, unofficially Hong Kong is by most practical measures its own country. While most Hong Kongers consider themselves Chinese, they do not consider themselves a part of China. They even have their own Olympic team, anthem, and flag.
Hong Kong was never an independent country. Until 1997, and the Hong Kong handover, Hong Kong was a colony of the United Kingdom. It was ruled by a governor appointed by parliament in London and answerable to the Queen. In many regards, it was a benign dictatorship.
Post-handover, the colony of Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and for official purposes is a part of China. But, for all intents and purposes, it is allowed to operate as an independent country. Below are just some of the ways Hong Kong behaves like an independent country.
Hong Kong as Its Own Country
Hong Kong’s Basic Law, as agreed between China and Britain, means Hong Kong will retain its own currency (the Hong Kong dollar), legal system, and parliamentary system for fifty years.
Hong Kong exercises a limited form of self-government. Its parliament is partially elected by popular vote and partially by Beijing approved caucuses of prominent nominees from business and policy bodies. The Chief Executive is appointed by Beijing. Protests in Hong Kong have been held to try and force Beijing to allow the city more democratic voting rights. This standoff has, in turn, created some tension between Hong Kong and Beijing.
Similarly, Hong Kong's legal system is completely distinct from Beijing. It remains based on British common law and is considered free and impartial. The Chinese authorities have no right to arrest people in Hong Kong. Like other countries, they must apply for an international arrest warrant.
Immigration and passport control is also separate from China. Visitors to Hong Kong, who usually receive visa-free access, will have to apply for a visa to visit China. There is a full international border between Hong Kong and China. Chinese nationals also require permits to visit Hong Kong. Hong Kongers have their own separate passports, the HKSAR passport.
The import and export of goods between Hong Kong and China are also restricted, although rules and regulations have been relaxed. Investment between both countries now flows relatively freely.
The only legal currency in Hong Kong is the homegrown Hong Kong Dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar. The Chinese Yuan is the official currency of China. The official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese (Cantonese) and English, not Mandarin. While the use of Mandarin has been growing, for the most part, Hong Kongers don't speak the language.
Culturally, Hong Kong is also somewhat distinct from China. While the two share a clear cultural affinity, fifty years of communist rule in the mainland and British and international influence in Hong Kong has seen them diverge. Surprisingly, Hong Kong remains a bastion of Chinese tradition. Flamboyant festivals, Buddhist rituals and martial art groups long banned by Mao flourished in Hong Kong.
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