Hardly a day goes by without a headline devoted to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an international hub with a fascinating history and a central role in global trade and finance. Its colourful journey to that destination began with its lease to the British by the Emperor of China. This byproduct of "gunboat diplomacy" left a legacy which has influenced China's relations with the West down to the present. Hong Kong was under British rule during the 1911 Revolution which led to the end of Imperial China as well as during the struggle between the Nationalists and Communists after World War II. Both those events had dramatic repercussions for the residents of Hong Kong.

In this course we explore Hong Kong's period as a British colony, right up to the handover to China in 1997. We consider Hong Kong's position as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, following a "one country, two systems" approach. We also review what this might mean for its people following the end of a 50-year transition period. Or perhaps even sooner. The Umbrella Revolution has provided some early signs, as we approach the midway point in Hong Kong's period of transition. Viewers wishing to do a deeper dive can explore some of the supplementary reading materials to understand the background to today's headlines and tomorrow's possible direction.