On This Day 19 Years Ago – Hong Kong extinguished the last vestige of the British Empire in Asia

On 1st July 1997 Hong Kong was handed back to the Chinese after 156 years of British rule. The British flag was lowered at Government House for the last time at midnight. It had been home to the last Governor: Chris Patten, for the past five years so the flag was presented to him before he was driven off in the official Rolls Royce which was then handed over to the Chief Executive: Tung Chee-hwa. In his farewell speech, Chris Patten said: "The story of this great city is about the years Read more [...]