7.4 Return of Hong Kong 1997

After 155 years of colonial rule, Hong Kong was finally returned to the motherland on 1 July 1997, thus starting a new chapter in its history. The Handover Ceremony took place in the Convention and Exhibition Centre on the evening of 30 June 1997.

It was officiated by President Jiang Zemin of China and the Prince of Wales.

Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was officially formed in accordance with the Basic Law which provides the territory with full authority to administer its local affairs, the legislative power to make its own laws and the independence of its judicial system and Final Court of Appeal.

Mr. Tung Chee-hwa was solemnly sworn in as the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Credit : History Museum of HK.