Hong Kong: Twenty Years On

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 25 June 2017

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

John Simpson visits Hong Kong 20 years after reunification with China to find out how much has changed. On 1 July 1997, after 150 years of British rule, Hong Kong rejoined China under the “one country two systems” formula whereby the territory would continue to enjoy much of its autonomy. Twenty years on, Hong Kong continues to prosper but amid political unrest and a growing sense that Beijing is trying to influence Hong Kong affairs.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This must be one of the most attractive and famous ways of getting around a city anywhere
0:12.0	in the world.
0:13.3	I'm on a star ferry, which is taking me and several dozen other people across Victoria
0:19.3	Harbour in Hong Kong.
0:21.2	We're going from Kaolun on the mainland side to Central on Hong Kong Island, the bit
0:28.1	the British first occupied in 1841.
0:32.3	My name is John Simpson, and I'm reporting for BBC World Service.
0:37.3	I was here for the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China back in 1997, and I
0:43.8	well remember how worried many people were in Hong Kong that China would throttle a political
0:49.5	life out of the territory and drain it of its economic success too.
0:55.6	Brothers at the same time thought reunification would be a joyful and hugely successful
1:01.3	business.
1:02.3	So, who was right?
1:04.3	All right!
1:05.3	Roll!
1:06.3	Salute!
1:07.3	Freeze!
1:08.3	Freeze!
1:09.3	The colours lowered in one salute.
1:23.3	On the 30th of June 1997, after a century and a half British rule in Hong Kong came to
1:30.4	an end, the territory was rich, well governed, and had become a global financial centre.
1:38.1	The handover to China was an emotional moment, and at a ceremony in the pouring rain, Chris
	...

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