Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
July 1, Tuesday
Historical background
On July 1, 1997, the United Kingdom officially handed over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China. From that moment, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China with broad autonomy under the principle of "one country, two systems".
This principle guaranteed that for at least 50 years after the handover, the region would retain its own legal system, freedom of speech, and economic and political autonomy, unlike mainland China.
How the holiday is celebrated
Celebrations in Hong Kong usually include:
* Flag-raising ceremonies with the flags of the PRC and the HKSAR
* Parades and official events with government representatives
* Fireworks in Victoria Harbour (sometimes canceled for political reasons)
* Cultural events, concerts, and family festivals
* Public rallies and demonstrations, especially in years of active civic movements
Political significance
July 1st is often used as a day to express public opinion on key political issues. Since the early 2000s, large pro-democracy and human rights marches have taken place on this day, especially in 2003, 2014, and 2019.
However, in recent years, especially after the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, protest activity has declined significantly due to increased government control.
Interesting facts
* The agreement to transfer Hong Kong was signed in 1984 between the United Kingdom and the PRC
* Hong Kong is one of two SARs in China; the other is Macau
* Despite political changes, Hong Kong remains one of Asia's leading financial centers