Former British Colony: Hong Kong

1. Hong Kong. Located in China, along the east coast.
2. When China sought to restrict illegal British opium trafficking, it brought about the Opium Wars. Queen Victoria and the Emperor of China, wanting to end the hostilities between the two countries, resolved to make the Treaty of Nanking. One of the articles included the cession of Hong Kong to Britain.
3. Britain's economy relied heavily on the trading of tea between China.  Other goods such as silk and opium were also traded.
4. The 99 year lease agreed upon in the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 was exceeded. Finally, in 1997, the two governments agreed to the sovereignty of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong was returned to the People's Republic of China.
5. Modern day Hong Kong and China are very different because of Hong Kong's time as a British colony. Hong Kong has adapted to many customs of Britain, and considers itself independant of Chinese control, having it's own set of laws and regulations.