Hong Kong Foundation Day

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This article is about the start of British rule. For the anniversary of the sovereignty transfer to China, see Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day.

Foundation Day
Early painting of Hong Kong Island
Also calledHong Kong Founding Day, Hong Kong Day, Festival of Hong Kong, Hong Kong's birthday
Observed byHong Kong
TypeUnofficial
SignificanceBeginning of British rule in 1841 until 1997
ObservancesHistory talks and exhibitions
Date26 January
Next time26 January 2025 (2025-01-26)
FrequencyAnnual
Related toNorfolk Island Foundation Day, Western Australia Day, Founding of modern Singapore
Hong Kong Foundation Day
Chinese香港開埠日

Hong Kong Foundation Day[1][2][3][4] (Chinese: 香港開埠日),[5][6] also known as Hong Kong Day (香港日) and Festival of Hong Kong (香港節),[7] is the anniversary of the founding of Hong Kong as a free port[8][9] when Britain formally colonised it on 26 January 1841 [note 1] after entering into a provisional treaty, known as the Chuenpi Convention, with an official of the Qing government.[10] The British Colonial Government did not make it an official public holiday, nor does the SAR Government.[11] Yet, some members of the public do organise various history talks or exhibitions on or near 26 January each year.[7]

Hong Kongers, most being native speakers of Cantonese, call this day 開埠日 or hōi fauh yaht,[11] which means “the day of pier opening”, reflecting the original intention of the British acquisition of Hong Kong was for opening it up[12] and turning it into a port of free trade.[8][9] The name also signifies that international commerce became legally permitted in Hong Kong upon British administration[13] whereas Hong Kong had not been allowed to conduct foreign trade under the Canton System policy of the Qing government.[14][15]

Background[edit]

In January 1841, after a series of negotiations, a provisional treaty seeking to end the First Opium War between Britain and the Qing Dynasty, known as the Convention of Chuenpi, was struck by representatives from the two sides, namely, Plenipotentiary Charles Elliot and Imperial Commissioner Qishan.[16][10] With the instruction given to him to take possession of some islands for trade in the previous year, Elliot demanded and secured the cession of Hong Kong Island as one of the terms of the Convention even though Zhoushan Island had been preferred by his boss Lord Palmerston.[17] While in Macau, Elliot announced the details of the Convention by publishing a circular on the 20th.[18]

Belcher drew this map after he surveyed Hong Kong Island.

Four days after the announcement, Captain Edward Belcher, aboard HMS Sulphur, surveyed Hong Kong Island and landed the next morning on the 25th at 8:15 o'clock, but he did not proceed to take formal possession of it. Yet, he did claim themselves being the bona fide first possessors, and they drank to the Queen's health with three cheers.[19]

A formal possession ceremony was held on 26 January by Commodore Gordon Bremer at Possession Point. He was accompanied by other officers of the squadron. The Royal Marines fired a feu de joie, and the war ships performed a Royal Salute. The Union Jack was hoisted, symbolising the beginning of British rule.[19]

Activities[edit]

Foundation Day event in Stonebridge, London

Today, news media often have history quizzes ready for their audiences on Foundation Day,[20][21] and non-governmental organisations arrange history talks and exhibitions for the general public to participate.[7]

But celebrations are not limited to Hong Kong. Events have been held in overseas metropolises with significant numbers of diaspora Hong Kongers, such as London[22] and Melbourne.[23] Hong Kong street food stalls, mini-concerts featuring Hong Kong music, and other cultural activities can also be found in these overseas events in addition to history-focused exhibitions and talks.[24][23]

Human rights groups and pro-democracy activists may also take the opportunity on Foundation Day to raise awareness of various issues about Hong Kong.[25][26]

50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee)[edit]

1891 Jubilee overprint stamp

The Hong Kong Post Office released the very first commemorative stamp in Hong Kong's history to celebrate the golden jubilee of the foundation of Hong Kong.[27] Because the government did not have enough time to have a specially designed commemorative stamp ready for the occasion, they instead decided to overprint the existing two-cent definitive stamp with the phrase "1841 Hong Kong JUBILEE 1891".[28][29] The commemorative overprint became an instant hit. With long queues and only a total of 50,000 prints, collectors got desperate and violent. Many got injured in the ensuing chaos as they tried to get hold of these stamps. In the end, three people died, with a Dutch sailor getting stabbed and two Portuguese customers getting crushed to death.[29][30]

In addition to the issuance of the golden jubilee stamp, there was a whole range of other celebrations across Hong Kong.[31] Warships in Victoria Harbour fired a royal salute. A troop review was conducted at Happy Valley. The Anglican and Catholic cathedrals conducted special services. Hong Kong City Hall held a public ball. A concert was performed at the Club Germania. Sport games, including cricket and shooting contests, were arranged. Ship owners strung decorative lights on their boats.

100th Anniversary (Centenary)[edit]

Centenary stamps
Statue of King George VI

1941 saw the centenary of Hong Kong's founding, but celebrations were not as extensive and vibrant as for the Golden Jubilee in 1891 when Europe had already been engulfed in WWII and the prospect of Japan invading Hong Kong was looming on the horizon.[31]

To mark the occasion, the Hong Kong Post Office issued a set of six commemorative stamps.[32][33] This set of stamps features various local sights and scenes to showcase the developments of Hong Kong as a British colony over the previous 100 years. The stamps were originally intended to be released in October 1940 but ultimately got published on 26 February 1941, exactly one month after the anniversary.[32][33]

The renowned British sculptor Gilbert Ledward created a bronze statue of King George VI to commemorate the centenary of Hong Kong's foundation.[34] The statue is located in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

The Legislative Council also unanimously passed a resolution, titled Loyalty to the Throne, to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of Hong Kong.[4] In particular, Sir Man-kam Lo, a Eurasian lawyer, offered support for the resolution on behalf of all other ethnically Chinese members of the Council.[4]

180th Anniversary[edit]

The year 2021 was the 180th anniversary of Foundation Day. A group of British parliamentarians from the House of Commons, led by Andrew Rosindell MP, tabled the non-binding Early Day Motion 1382 for the occasion in which, among other things, they welcomed those Hong Kongers who were moving to the UK from Hong Kong “to escape the iron heel of Chinese Communist tyranny”.[2]

Signatories of Early Day Motion 1382[2]
Parliamentarian Political Party Sponsorship Date Signed
Andrew Rosindell Conservative Sponsor (Primary) 20 January 2021
Layla Moran Liberal Democrat Sponsor 21 January 2021
Sir Mike Penning Conservative Sponsor 21 January 2021
Paul Girvan Democratic Unionist Sponsor 21 January 2021
Sir David Amess Conservative Sponsor 21 January 2021
Caroline Lucas Green Sponsor 25 January 2021
Sammy Wilson Democratic Unionist Non-Sponsor 26 January 2021
Craig Whittaker Conservative Non-Sponsor 12 February 2021
External videos
YouTube logo
180th Anniversary
video icon Part 1: Messages from British parliamentarians
video icon Part 2: Messages from British parliamentarians and activists

There was another group of British parliamentarians and activists who partnered with Stand with Hong Kong to create commemorative YouTube videos for the occasion in which they commemorated the 180th anniversary and took the opportunity to express their solidarity with Hong Kongers regarding the democratic and human rights issues they had to endure.[35][36]

Participants of Commemorative Videos [35][36]
Individual Organisation/Political Party
Lord Patten of Barnes Conservative
Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP Conservative
Sir Roger Gale MP Conservative
Virendra Sharma MP Labour
Sir David Amess MP Conservative
Baroness Cox Crossbench
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Green
Afzal Khan MP Labour
Nickie Aiken MP Conservative
Christine Jardine MP Liberal Democrat
Ian Paisley MP Democratic Unionist
Benedict Rogers Hong Kong Watch
The Whitehouse Consultancy The Whitehouse Consultancy

Debate[edit]

Quite a few in Hong Kong see Foundation Day as the birthday of Hong Kong,[37][20][11] but not everyone agrees.

Though not always, those who regard Foundation Day as Hong Kong’s birthday often attribute the success of modern Hong Kong to the British rule,[38] which began on Foundation Day.

Opponents view 26 January 1841 as a humiliating moment in Chinese history and sometimes label those who think Foundation Day is worthy of celebration as anti-China or even separatists.[39] Similarly, some criticise it as colonial nostalgia.[40]

Merchandise[edit]

Even though the founding of Hong Kong occurred in the distant past in 1841, this episode of history still provides inspiration to some creators and designers in the cultural and creative industries today.[41][42] The history related to Foundation Day has inspired the creation of different local merchandise from time to time, such as handbags, clothes, perfume, calendars etc.[42][41]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^
    Regnal Year
    Year
    Victoria Fourth
    Daoguang Twenty-First
    Corresponding Date of Lunar Calendar on 26 Jan 1841 of Gregorian Calendar
    Heavenly Stem Earthly Branch Zodiac Month Day
    Chinese 辛 丑 牛 正月 初四
    English Xin Chou Ox First Fourth

[43]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Boundary Bookstore helps locals quench their thirst for knowledge about Hong Kong history and culture". South China Morning Post. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2023. She chose to open the independent bookstore on January 26, paying homage to Hong Kong Foundation Day, which marks the day the city was colonised by Britain and established as a free port 181 years ago.
  2. ^ a b c UK Parliament, House of Commons. "180th anniversary of the founding of modern Hong Kong". Early Day Motion (EDM 1382). Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021. Motion text: That this House notes that the 26th of January 2021 marks the 180th anniversary of the modern founding of Hong Kong
  3. ^ "Hong Kong Foundation Day Anniversary | bc magazine". www.bcmagazine.net. 26 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Loyalty to the Throne" (PDF). Hansard 16th January, 1941. Hong Kong Legislative Council: 2. 16 January 1941. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2004. That the Legislative Council of this Colony, on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the Colony's foundation, humbly renews the expression of its loyalty to the Throne, and its devotion to the Empire's cause.
  5. ^ "1841年1月26日 香港正式開埠". Radio Free Asia (in Chinese). 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024.
  6. ^ "今天香港開埠176年紀念日 究竟「開埠」點解？". Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings (in Chinese). 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Home | 180th Hong Kong Day proudly presented by the Blue Culture Club". 180th Hong Kong Day. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021. FESTIVAL OF HONG KONG: 180 YEARS AND ONWARDS「香港節」：壹佰捌拾
  8. ^ a b "History in Pictures - The Establishment of Free Port". www.grs.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  9. ^ a b Lau, Chi-pang. "The early development of colonial launches and maintenance facilities of the colonial launches from 1841 to the 1920s". Marine Department. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2021. To fulfill the goal of making the colony of Hong Kong a facilitating centre for China trade, the colonial government quickly proclaimed Hong Kong Island as a free trade port shortly after the establishment of the colony in January 1841.
  10. ^ a b 2003 Hong Kong Yearbook, Hong Kong 2003 - History. "A Place From Which to Trade". www.yearbook.gov.hk. Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2021. Under the Convention of Chuenpi (Chuanbi) signed on January 20, 1841, Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b c 周雪君 (26 January 2016). "「香港」生日快樂 175年前今日開埠英軍佔領". The News Lens 關鍵評論網 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  12. ^ Press Release (27 November 2007). "Exhibition opens on banking history in Shanghai and Hong Kong (with photos)". Hong Kong SAR Government. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2021. Following Hong Kong's opening up in 1841, Shanghai was declared a free port and formally opened to foreign trade in 1843.
  13. ^ "香港開埠180周年 重臨變革的關頭". HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. 1月26日，一個大部份香港人都如常生活的日子，背後卻承載着重要的歷史。1841年1月25日，英國海軍軍官卑路乍作先頭部隊，於上午8 時15分登陸今上環水坑口。翌日英國遠東艦隊分支抵達，並於該處揚起英國國旗，正式接管香港，又在海面鳴炮示意，標誌着香港從此正式開埠通商。
  14. ^ "Thirteen Hongs of Canton: selected pictures and documents exhibition". Hong Kong Public Libraries. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Canton (known today as Guangzhou), a major trading port of China since ancient times, is regarded as the southern gateway to China. In 1757, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty ordered the closure of all ports to foreign trade with the exception of Canton.
  15. ^ "East Meets West: Cultural Relics from the Pearl River Delta Region". Hong Kong Museum of History. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. From 1757 to 1841, Guangzhou even served as the only port dealing with foreign trade...The British occupation of Hong Kong Island in 1841 was followed by the implementation of a free-trade policy, which attracted a roomful of foreign hongs to shift their headquarters to Hong Kong.
  16. ^ "Hong Kong ceded to the British". HISTORY. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  17. ^ Morse, Hosea Ballou (1917). International relations of the Chinese empire. Harold B. Lee Library. New York: New York, distributed by Paragon Book Gallery. p. 628. The British Government is entitled to demand full reparation of the affront offered to the British Crown by the indignities put upon Her Majesty's Superintendent, and by the outrageous proceedings adopted towards Her Majesty's other Subjects in China. The British Government is willing to accept as full satisfaction for these proceedings, and as security against their recurrence, the cession of one or more Islands on the Coast, to be fixed upon by the Naval Commander and the Superintendent, as eligible to be occupied as Stations at which Her Majesty's subjects trading to China might reside in safety, under the protection of British authority; and from whence they might securely carry on their commercial intercourse with the principal Ports of the Coast of China.
  18. ^ The Chinese Repository. Vol. 10. proprietors. 1841. p. 63.
  19. ^ a b The Chinese Repository. Vol. 12. Elijah Coleman Bridgman, Samuel Wells Williams proprietors. 1843. p. 492. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021. On the return of the commodore on the 24th, we were directed to proceed to Hongkong, and commence its survey. We landed on Monday the 25th, 1841, at fifteen minutes past eight A.M., and being the bondafide first possessors, Her Majesty's health was drank with three cheers on Possession Mount. On the 26th, the squadron arrived; the marines were landed, the union hoisted on our post, and formal possession taken of the island, by commodore sir J. J. G. Bremer, accompanied by the other officers of the squadron, under a fue-de-joie from the marines, and a royal salute from the ships of war.
  20. ^ a b "香港開埠180周年 「開埠以嚟」歷史問答知識＋". hk.news.yahoo.com (in Chinese). 25 January 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  21. ^ "香港開埠180周年｜真香港人常識問答比賽 香港有全球首條載人吊車、鼠疫期間有艘海上隔離船？ ｜ 蘋果日報". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  22. ^ "適逢香港開埠181年 首於倫敦辦「香港節」為港慶生 移英港人李志烺：梳理港人起源，傳承身份文化". 同文Commons (in Chinese). 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022.
  23. ^ a b "有港人團體辦澳洲國慶日活動 冀連結在澳港人". Special Broadcasting Service Chinese (in Chinese). 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. 活動主辨人之一的Simon Ho向《SBS中文》表示，是次活動具有雙種意義，2022年1月26日除了是澳洲國慶日外，亦是香港開埠181周年紀念，屆時在會場會有展板介紹澳洲的核心價值，認識澳洲的多元文化外，亦會有介紹香港歷史的部份，當中亦會展示香港反送中運動的內容，及介紹澳洲政府為港人特設的「避風港」政策內容。
  24. ^ "香港迎開埠181年 港人倫敦辦「香港節」". 香城公民媒體 (in Chinese). 30 January 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022.
  25. ^ "UK rights group calls for sanctions on modern Hong Kong's 180th 'birthday'". Hong Kong Free Press. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Ai Weiwei warns China is 'greatest challenge the West has ever faced'". Irish Independent. 26 January 2021. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. The Chinese artist, who is now based in the UK, spoke during a parliamentary event to mark the 180th anniversary of the founding of modern Hong Kong.
  27. ^ "History". Hongkong Post. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. The First Commemorative Stamp: Hong Kong celebrated its 50th Anniversary as a British colony in 1891. To mark the occasion, the Post Office issued a commemorative stamp, a limited edition of the two-cent carmine Queen's head, overprinted with "1841 Hong Kong Jubilee 1891".
  28. ^ "Commemorative Stamps from Pre-war Hong Kong". Hong Kong Memory. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. In the hundred years from 1841 to 1941, Hong Kong only issued four sets of commemorative stamps. The first was printed in 1891 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hong Kong's opening as a free port. In view of the tight schedule, the Hong Kong government had not applied in time for permission from the Colonial Office for a special design. As a result, the 2-cent definitive stamp had to be overprinted, making it the world's first overprinted commemorative stamp. The 50,000 stamps sold out in three days.
  29. ^ a b "郵票中的百年香港史". Hong Kong Commercial Daily (香港商報) (in Chinese). 12 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. 1891年1月22日香港發行了第一套紀念郵票猁猁香港開埠50周年紀念郵票，這套郵票曾由當時香港署理港督催促英國理藩院盡快審批發行，後來由於時間不夠充裕，來不及設計一款新圖案郵票，最後圖案選用了1883年的維多利亞女王頭像通用郵票，在上加蓋「1841-香港金禧紀念-1891」字樣，作為全球首套以加蓋形式發行的紀念郵票。「郵票發行首日非常轟動，早上7時開始發售，郵政總局擠滿了不同國籍的集郵人士，一度引起搶購熱潮，由於人群擁擠，秩序大亂，結果兩名葡萄牙人在混亂的人群中被夾死，1名荷蘭籍海員被刺斃，另外還有多人受傷。」
  30. ^ Gilbert, Adam Richard (July 2018). "Post-Imperialism: The Postage Stamps and Postal History of Hong Kong, 1842-1997" (PDF). p. 52. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 December 2022. So popular were these stamps that an initial limit of twenty-five per person was quickly reduced to twenty as queues rapidly grew. As collectors became increasingly desperate to acquire these issues, things began to turn violent. Two Portuguese customers were crushed to death, a Dutch sailor was stabbed, and many others were injured in the 'unruly scenes'.
  31. ^ a b Carroll, John (2005). "Chapter 7 - Transforming the Barren Island: The 1941 Centenary". Edge of Empires: Chinese Elites and British Colonials in Hong Kong. United States: Harvard University Press. p. 159. ISBN 9780674017016. In 1941, Hong Kong observed its centenary as a British colony. But this was hardly a year for celebrating. The Japanese occupied the key cities of China; Britain and Germany were engaged in a bitter conflict; and war between Britain and Japan loomed on the horizon…Compared with the 1891 jubilee commemorating Hong Kong's fifty years as a British colony, the 1941 celebration was subdued and almost nonexistent. The 1891 celebration had all the signs of a proper jubilee: ships decorated with lights, church services at the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals, a royal salute fired from ships in the harbor, a review of military forces at Happy Valley, an athletics contest, a public ball at City Hall, a cricket match and shooting contest, topped off with a concert at the Club Germania.
  32. ^ a b 郵票中的香港史 (PDF) (in Chinese). Hong Kong: 中華書局. 2013. pp. 6–8. ISBN 9789888236954. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2022. 同年2月26日，香港郵政發行「香港開埠百年紀念」郵票。這套郵票再度由鍾惠霖（Wiliam E. Jones）設計，一套六張，分別是面額兩仙的「中環閣麟街街景」（圖1.2a）、四仙的「皇后號郵輪與中國民船」（圖1.2b）、五仙的「香港大學」（圖1.2c）、一角五仙的「海港」（圖1.2d）、兩角五仙的「中環匯豐大廈」（圖1.2e）和一元的「中國飛剪船和水上飛機」（圖1.2f）。
  33. ^ a b "1941 Centenary Stamps". Gwulo: Old Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. The centenary stamps were designed locally and intended for release in October 1940. But due to delays, the stamps were finally issued in February 1941.
  34. ^ "Bronze Statue of King George VI". Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Hong Kong 180th Anniversary - Part 1: Messages from British parliamentarians". YouTube. Stand with Hong Kong. 26 January 2021.
  36. ^ a b "Hong Kong 180th Anniversary - Part 2: Messages from British parliamentarians and activists". YouTube. Stand with Hong Kong. 26 January 2021.
  37. ^ "HKFP History: 'Happy Birthday' to modern Hong Kong – 178 years old today". Hong Kong Free Press. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  38. ^ "狂舔前殖民者！"港獨"藝人抹黑香港回歸為"淪陷"". 香港新聞網 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 February 2022.
  39. ^ "「獨」人「慶港開埠」 教界批妄想兼可笑". Wen Wei Po (in Chinese). 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023.
  40. ^ "科大組織戀殖上腦 借慶祝開埠宣抗中港獨 無恥！". HKG報 (in Chinese). 28 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023.
  41. ^ a b "本土小確幸 SOUL SWEET". U Lifestyle (in Chinese). 22 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. 另一款是SOUL SWEET的熱賣款－HONGKONGER，設計靈感來自牛津英語大字典去年收錄的英文新字"Hongkonger"，Gravy以此為原素，而Since 1841仿傚品牌突出成立年份，這一年也是香港開埠之年，參考了英國Keep Calm and Carry On的二戰海報，SOUL SWEET加上以勇氣和挑戰高峰為口號的「Be Brave Carry On」。
  42. ^ a b "【眾籌】小店製作本土歷史主題月曆　冀用一年重喚港人金魚記憶". HK01 (in Chinese). 21 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021.
  43. ^ "佛學規範資料庫: 中、韓、日、西曆對換". authority.dila.edu.tw. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
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