3 hours ago
Francis Mao, BBC News
image provided, Getty Images
China has long argued that Britain’s rule over Hong Kong does not deprive China of its sovereignty.
Hong Kong has never been a British colony. That’s what the new textbooks used in Hong Kong schools say, local media reported.
A new textbook stipulates that Britain “just enforced colonial rule” in Hong Kong. This distinction underscores China’s claim that China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong has never been interrupted.
China has consistently claimed that it has not relinquished sovereignty. Hong Kong was handed over to Britain because of an unjust treaty in the Opium War of the 1800s.
Britain ruled Hong Kong twice, 1841-1941 and 1945-1997, for more than 150 years and returned to China in 1997.
Hong Kong has a deep port and has grown into a vibrant city-state and one of the world’s leading financial centers. Britain called Hong Kong a colony or a dependent territory during its reign.
image provided, Getty Images
Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997
According to local media, the new textbook will bother to explain the difference between “colonial” and “colonial rule.” In order for a country to call a foreign territory a colony, it must have sovereignty and sovereignty over that territory.
In the case of Hong Kong, the textbook explains that Britain “just enforced colonial rule … Hong Kong is not a British colony.”
This textbook was created for special subjects focusing on citizenship ideals, legality and patriotism.
The subject replaces the liberal arts subject, which has taught a wide range of critical thinking abilities and ideas about the role of citizens.
Chinese officials directly criticized the subject during a major democratic movement in Hong Kong in 2019. He argued that such education “radified” young people and instilled false ideas.
According to local media, the new textbook has not yet been printed and is awaiting final approval by Chinese authorities. Its content reflects Beijing’s view that the 2019 large-scale democratization demonstration was a security threat.
image provided, Getty Images
Some people waved the British flag at the 2019 democratization demonstration
The South China Morning Post, an English-language newspaper in Hong Kong, published an excerpt of the protest, stating that it “advocated separation and overthrow of the government in activities that threaten national sovereignty, security and interests.”
The protests in 2019 were largely peaceful, albeit with violence. Human rights groups have accused police of violence and abuse of peaceful demonstrators.
Former Hong Kong pro-democracy politician Timothy Lee, who is now in exile, has also expressed concern about a “rewrite” of history.A new textbook sample states that the 2019 protests are “violent terrorist activity.”Tweeting。
What happened after the return
After the return of Hong Kong in 1997, Chinese Communist Party leaders classified Hong Kong as a special administrative region with its own governing and economic system. Allowed citizens more freedom than the mainland.
However, following a major protest in 2019, China has embarked on a crackdown on the freedom of Hong Kong citizens.