If my memory is somewhat close, about 50 years after the British captured
the island they gave it back and leased it from the Chinese for 99 years
(which I believe was in 1896), with an option for 2 years.  In 1984 (or was
it 1986?) the agreement to return Hong Kong to the Chinese at the end of
the 101 years was negotiated.  From that time on, Hong Kong was scheduled
to be returned to China on July 1, 1997.

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On Monday, June 30, 1997 2:01 PM, Curt Brimacomb wrote:
> According to what they said on TV, 156 years ago a British Captain
captured
> the island from the Chinese.  That's all I heard.
>
> Curt Brimacomb
> System Manager                                          www.magiclink.com
> Idaho Computer Services, Inc.                                   Voice:
 1-208-
> 734-2245
> Twin Falls, Idaho 83301                                         Fax:
   1-208-
> 733-9663
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Shawn Gordon [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:   Monday, June 30, 1997 12:58 PM
> To:     [log in to unmask]
> Subject:        Off Topic: History of Hong Kong
>
> I know this probably sounds stupid, but all the news coverage has been
> of the handover, but not how Britain ended up with Hong Kong in the
> first place.  Would someone with some time be so kind as to give me a
> quick run down of the history?
>
> thanks
>