128-689: Captain Matthew Webb (19 January 1848 – 24 July 1883) was an English seaman, swimmer and stuntman who became the first person to swim the English Channel without the use of artificial aids. Webb increased the popularity of swimming in England. Born in Dawley, Shropshire , Webb developed his swimming skills as a child while playing in the River Severn . At twelve, he began his career in
256-463: A proposed extradition amendment bill permitting the extradition of fugitives to mainland China. The protests are the largest in Hong Kong's history, with organisers claiming to have attracted more than three million Hong Kong residents. The Hong Kong regional government and Chinese central government responded to the protests with a number of administrative measures to quell dissent. In June 2020,
384-674: A testimonial fund , which raised him £2,424 (£290,000 today). Webb gave £500 to his father and invested £1782 before moving to Kensington , London. For the rest of 1875, Webb spoke at boys' schools, including the Conway , where he was used as an example of English virtues . Several newspapers reported on Webb. The Standard published Payne's account of the crossing, and The Daily Telegraph interviewed Webb. Surgeon Sir William Fergusson called Webb's feat "almost unrivalled as an instance of human prowess and endurance", and noted his body's likely ability for vasoconstriction to prevent heat loss. It
512-479: A 16-mile (26 km) race against Willie Beckwith. List of successful English Channel swimmers This is a list of notable successful swims across the English Channel , a straight-line distance of at least 18.2 nautical miles (20.9 mi; 33.7 km). The first attempt to cross the channel with no artificial aid was made by the 23 year old J. B. Johnson on August 30 1872. Johnson hired
640-402: A 2021 thematic report by the Hong Kong government, after excluding foreign domestic helpers, the real number of non-Chinese ethnic minorities in the city was 301,344, or 4% of Hong Kong's population. About half the population have some form of British nationality , a legacy of colonial rule; 3.4 million residents have British National (Overseas) status, and 260,000 British citizens live in
768-427: A book titled The Art of Swimming , though this was mostly written by Payne. In August 1876, Webb accompanied Frederick Cavill on his first channel attempt, but it ended after Cavill drank a lot of whisky and was stung by jellyfish. In Land and Water , Webb stated Cavill had only made it halfway, which angered him. After Cavill's second attempt, he claimed to have finished nearly ten hours faster than Webb. This claim
896-493: A brass band in Dover to hype up his attempt, and entertained the crowd for 3 hours at Dover before diving in and starting his swim. Johnson swam for 45 minutes, before having a quick break to swig some brandy. He then continued until he had swum for 1 hour, before having another break to drink even more brandy. After 1 hour and 20 minutes, Johnson boarded the boat because the cold water was too much for him to handle. Despite this,
1024-451: A cramp that ended his race, while Boyton paddled to the finish. Webb challenged Boyton to a rematch, which he accepted. The race took place at Nantasket Beach , and was promoted as the "Championship of the World". Public interest was higher, with a prize pool of $ 4,000 (about $ 130,000 today). Boyton had to paddle between three buoys, and Webb between two. After several postponements, the race
1152-524: A diverse ecosystem; over 3,000 species of vascular plants occur in the region (300 of which are native to Hong Kong), and thousands of insect, avian, and marine species. Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cwa ), characteristic of southern China, despite being located south of the Tropic of Cancer , although closely bordering on a tropical climate . Summers are long, hot and humid, with occasional showers and thunderstorms and warm air from
1280-845: A four-year term. Twenty are directly elected from geographical constituencies , thirty-five represent functional constituencies (FC), and forty are chosen by an election committee consisting of representatives appointed by the Chinese central government. Thirty FC councillors are selected from limited electorates representing sectors of the economy or special interest groups, and the remaining five members are nominated from sitting district council members and selected in region-wide double direct elections . All popularly elected members are chosen by proportional representation . The 30 limited electorate functional constituencies fill their seats using first-past-the-post or instant-runoff voting. Twenty-two political parties had representatives elected to
1408-733: A good barometer reading, light wind and slightly overcast sky. The sea temperature was 18 °C (64 °F). Webb ate bacon and eggs with claret , then set off in the Ann from the Harbour to Admiralty Pier . Toms predicted the swim would take around 14 hours, while Captain Pittock of the Castalia— who was an expert on the Channel waters—estimated it would take around 20. At the time of his swim, Webb weighed 204 lb (93 kg), his chest size
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#17327717930011536-533: A long-distance swimming race in 1879, and floating for 128.5 hours at the Boston Horticultural Hall in 1882. Webb's financial situation worsened, and in 1883 he was diagnosed with tuberculosis , leaving him bedridden for two months. Webb died later that year after being paralysed by the water pressure while attempting to swim down the rapids at Niagara Gorge , below Niagara Falls . Webb was born on 19 January 1848 in Dawley , Shropshire . He
1664-621: A medical check in London, which was reported in the Land and Water . An employee there gave Webb a jar of porpoise oil for insulation, which he later used for his Channel swim. In August Webb moved from London to the Flying Horse Inn in Dover to begin final preparations. He swam an hour daily, except every tenth day when he swam up to five hours. Webb consulted locals about conditions in
1792-400: A mugging attempt until a policeman caused the assailants to flee. His next trip was to Aden and then Bombay , where he spent three months and first swam in the sea. He swam between the boats in the harbour, dining at his destination and swimming back again. He enjoyed the extra buoyancy that the saltwater provided, and the roughness of the waves. Webb gained a reputation for fearlessness and
1920-491: A neutral zone to safeguard its status as a free port. The colonial government prepared for a possible attack, evacuating all British women and children in 1940. The Imperial Japanese Army attacked Hong Kong on 8 December 1941 , the same morning as its attack on Pearl Harbor . Hong Kong was occupied by Japan for almost four years before the British resumed control on 30 August 1945. Its population rebounded quickly after
2048-504: A new manager, Captain Henry Hartley, who arranged for The Manhattan Beach Company to wager $ 1,000 (about $ 30,000 today) on a ten-mile swim from Sandy Hook to Manhattan Beach . Webb was required to enter Manhattan Beach Harbour between 17:00 and 18:00 to ensure the largest possible audience. Despite his crew's inexperience and Webb arriving three hours early, he finished the swim and fulfilled his contract. The New York Times called
2176-408: A paltry bet of £20 to £1 he has nothing to gain by success. Surely, under the circumstances, there are some lovers of sport who would gladly, in sporting language, "put him on so much to nothing". Should he by chance succeed, which is extremely improbable, it would be cruel that one who would undoubtedly have performed the greatest athletic feat on record should be a loser by the event. Webb's next swim
2304-574: A pleasurable activity, but rather a medical treatment. At eight, Webb and his older brother Thomas saved his younger brother Charles from drowning. Webb enjoyed showing off in front of his friends and reading sea stories, with the book Old Jack by W. H. G. Kingston inspiring him to become a seaman. In 1860, at twelve years old, Webb began training for the Merchant Navy aboard the HMS Conway training ship. Initially homesick and disliking
2432-570: A rowing boat containing eight people to shield Webb from the wind and rain, and the crew sang the tune " Rule, Britannia! ". After nearly 22 hours, at 10:41 am on 25 August, he landed near Calais. His zig-zag course across the Channel covered about 39 miles (63 km). After finishing, he fell into his friends' arms, and slept in the Hotel de Paris. After his swim, Webb had a temperature of 38 °C (100 °F) and two long swellings on his neck. He slept almost continuously for 24 hours. After meeting
2560-409: A second language. Slightly over half the population (58.7%) speaks English , the other official language; 4.6% are native speakers, and 54.1% speak English as a second language. Code-switching , mixing English and Cantonese in informal conversation, is common among the bilingual population. Post-handover governments have promoted Mandarin , which is currently about as prevalent as English; 54.2% of
2688-531: A series of protests in 2014 which became known as the Umbrella Revolution. Discrepancies in the electoral registry and disqualification of elected legislators after the 2016 Legislative Council elections and enforcement of national law in the West Kowloon high-speed railway station raised further concerns about the region's autonomy. In June 2019, mass protests erupted in response to
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#17327717930012816-432: A severe amount of income inequality, which has risen since the handover, as the region's ageing population has gradually added to the number of nonworking people. Although median household income steadily increased during the decade to 2021, the wage gap remained high; the 90th percentile of earners receive 41% of all income. The city has the most billionaires per capita, with one billionaire per 109,657 people, as well as
2944-503: A small inlet located between Aberdeen Island and the southern coast of Hong Kong Island. Aberdeen was an initial point of contact between British sailors and local fishermen. Although the source of the romanised name is unknown, it is generally believed to be an early phonetic rendering of the Cantonese (or Tanka Cantonese ) phrase hēung góng . The name translates as "fragrant harbour" or "incense harbour". "Fragrant" may refer to
3072-459: A wreck, and then swimming back to shore—a job which the other sailors were too afraid to do. In one incident, he competed with a Newfoundland dog to see who could swim the longest in the rough sea. After an hour, Webb was still swimming but the dog had to be rescued from the water. In the Suez Canal , his ship's propeller became tangled with a rope. Webb dived down repeatedly for hours, cutting
3200-431: Is a special administrative region of China , with executive, legislative, and judicial powers devolved from the national government . The Sino-British Joint Declaration provided for economic and administrative continuity through the handover, resulting in an executive-led governing system largely inherited from the territory's history as a British colony. Under these terms and the "one country, two systems" principle,
3328-477: Is consistently in high demand . Hong Kong is a highly developed territory and has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.956, ranking fourth in the world and currently the only place in Asia to be in the top 5. The city has the highest life expectancy in the world , and a public transport usage exceeding 90 per cent. The name of the territory, first romanised as "He-Ong-Kong" in 1780, originally referred to
3456-410: Is governed by a hybrid regime that is not fully representative of the population. Legislative Council members elected by functional constituencies composed of professional and special interest groups are accountable to these narrow corporate electorates and not the general public. This electoral arrangement has guaranteed a pro-Beijing camp majority in the legislature since the handover. Similarly,
3584-420: Is the ninth most traded currency in the world. Home to the seventh-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world, Hong Kong has the largest number of ultra high-net-worth individuals . Although the city has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, severe income inequality exists among the population. Despite being the city with the most skyscrapers in the world , housing in Hong Kong
3712-583: The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News , during the swim, he tried an early form of goggles without a seal, which he called "barnacles", but they did not work. The weather worsened, and after seven hours he was over nine miles off course. He boarded the boat 15 minutes before the weather conditions would have prevented him doing so. Despite his disappointment, he remained positive and was assured by Toms that with better weather, he likely would have succeeded. Good weather arrived on 24 August with
3840-895: The Ann were: Toms and his crew, Webb's brother-in-law George Ward, Payne (acting as a referee and reporter for the Land and Water and The Standard ) and reporters from The Field , the Daily News , the Dover Express , The Daily Telegraph , the Dover Chronicle , The Times , the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News and The Illustrated London News . Webb started swimming breaststroke at 25 strokes per minute but soon slowed to 20. He consumed cod liver oil , beef tea, brandy , coffee and ale , but did not stop long for each feed to preserve body heat. By 17:30, Dover could not be seen. At 20:35, Webb
3968-542: The Basic Law of Hong Kong for 50 years after the handover. It does not specify how Hong Kong will be governed after 2047, and the central government's role in determining the territory's future system of government is the subject of political debate and speculation. Hong Kong's political and judicial systems may be integrated with China's at that time, or the territory may continue to be administered separately. However, in response to large-scale protests in 2019 and 2020 ,
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4096-591: The Basic Law of Hong Kong is the regional constitution. The regional government is composed of three branches: The chief executive is the head of government and serves for a maximum of two five-year terms. The State Council (led by the Premier of China ) appoints the chief executive after nomination by the Election Committee , which is composed of 1500 business, community, and government leaders. The Legislative Council has 90 members, each serving
4224-604: The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference appointed by the central government. Chinese national law does not generally apply in the region, and Hong Kong is treated as a separate jurisdiction. Its judicial system is based on common law , continuing the legal tradition established during British rule. Local courts may refer to precedents set in English law and overseas jurisprudence. However, mainland criminal procedure law applies to cases investigated by
4352-563: The Chinese central government 's adherence to the "one country, two systems" principle. After reversal of the last colonial era Legislative Council democratic reforms following the handover, the regional government unsuccessfully attempted to enact national security legislation pursuant to Article 23 of the Basic Law . The central government decision to implement nominee pre-screening before allowing chief executive elections triggered
4480-471: The English Channel from Dover , England, to Cap Gris-Nez , France. Public donations raised him £2,424 (about £290,000 today), and he started a career as a professional swimmer. Webb competed in several races, and performed stunts in England and America, including completing a 40-mile (64 km) swim from Gravesend to Woolwich along the Thames in 1877, swimming 74 miles (119 km) over six days to win
4608-670: The Former Marine Police Headquarters was redeveloped into a commercial and retail complex, and Béthanie (built in 1875 as a sanatorium ) houses the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts . The Tin Hau Temple , dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu (originally built in 1012 and rebuilt in 1266), is the territory's oldest existing structure. The Ping Shan Heritage Trail has architectural examples of several imperial Chinese dynasties, including
4736-497: The Merchant Navy after training at HMS Conway . After graduating, he began a three-year apprenticeship with the Rathbone Brothers of Liverpool , during which he sailed internationally across various trade routes to countries including China, India, Hong Kong , Singapore and Yemen . After completing his second mate training in 1865, Webb worked for ten years aboard different ships and for multiple companies. He
4864-803: The Middle Neolithic period, about 6,000 years ago, the region had been widely occupied by humans. Neolithic to Bronze Age Hong Kong settlers were semi-coastal people. Early inhabitants are believed to be Austronesians in the Middle Neolithic period and later the Yue people. As hinted by the archaeological works in Sha Ha, Sai Kung, rice cultivation had been introduced since Late Neolithic period. Bronze Age Hong Kong featured coarse pottery, hard pottery, quartz and stone jewelry, as well as small bronze implements. The Qin dynasty incorporated
4992-734: The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR . Interpretative and amending power over the Basic Law and jurisdiction over acts of state lie with the central authority, making regional courts ultimately subordinate to the mainland's socialist civil law system. Decisions made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress override any territorial judicial process. Furthermore, in circumstances where
5120-717: The People's Liberation Army is responsible for the region's defence. Although the Chairman of the Central Military Commission is supreme commander of the armed forces, the regional government may request assistance from the garrison. Hong Kong residents are not required to perform military service, and current law has no provision for local enlistment, so its defence is composed entirely of non-Hongkongers. The central government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs handle diplomatic matters, but Hong Kong retains
5248-831: The Qing dynasty ceded Hong Kong Island in 1841–1842 as a consequence of losing the First Opium War . The colony expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and was further extended when the United Kingdom obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Hong Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945 during World War II . The territory was handed over from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. Hong Kong maintains separate governing and economic systems from that of mainland China under
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5376-467: The Rathbone Brothers of Liverpool . He trained to become a second mate , earning £30 (about £3,500 today) for his three years' work. His first voyage was from Liverpool to Calcutta . The crew faced bad weather that terrified Webb. Despite this, he excelled in the harsh conditions and was not prone to seasickness unlike the other new recruits. The ship then sailed to Hong Kong , Singapore , back to Calcutta and then back home. In Hong Kong, Webb fought off
5504-595: The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council to grant officials "even more powers to crack down on opposition to Beijing and the Hong Kong government" and includes penalties such as life imprisonment for political crimes such as treason and insurrection . Critics state that this expansion "will strike a lasting blow to the partial autonomy the city had been promised by China [in
5632-713: The Shanghai Street shophouses in Mong Kok . Mass-produced public-housing estates , built since the 1960s, are mainly constructed in modernist style . The Census and Statistics Department estimated Hong Kong's population at 7,413,070 in 2021. The overwhelming majority (91.6%) is Han Chinese , most of whom are Taishanese , Teochew , Hakka , and other Cantonese peoples . The remaining 8.4% are non-ethnic Chinese minorities, primarily Filipinos , Indonesians , and South Asians . However, most Filipinos and Indonesians in Hong Kong are short-term workers. According to
5760-502: The Sino-British Joint Declaration ]." Hong Kong's administrative divisions are divided into three levels: Areas (區域), Districts (地區), and Sub-districts (分區). Hong Kong is administratively divided into three areas: Hong Kong Island , Kowloon , and the New Territories . They are further divided into 18 districts. The area of Hong Kong Island has four districts, the area of Kowloon has five districts, and
5888-457: The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the controversial Hong Kong national security law . The law criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign elements and establishes the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR, an investigative office under Central People's Government authority immune from HKSAR jurisdiction. Some of
6016-457: The Strait of Dover and chose to use Boyton's strategy. He planned to start on the east flood tide and catch the current as it turned west. For support, he chose the lugger boat Ann , which was captained by George Toms. Webb did not want a doctor, since he believed he knew his health best. Webb waited for moderately good weather and began his first attempt on 12 August. According to Dolphin from
6144-528: The Thames from Westminster Bridge to Regent's Canal Dock . After an hour and 20 minutes, they "grew tired of watching his slow, methodical but perfect breaststroke" and concluded his trial. For the rest of the 1874 swimming season, Webb trained daily at Lambeth Baths. He became close friends with Beckwith and Watson. In June 1875 Webb left his job as captain of the Emerald to focus on swimming. That same month, future American rival Paul Boyton paddled across
6272-615: The Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda (Hong Kong's only remaining pagoda). Tong lau , mixed-use tenement buildings constructed during the colonial era, blended southern Chinese architectural styles with European influences. These were especially prolific during the immediate post-war period, when many were rapidly built to house large numbers of Chinese migrants. Examples include Lui Seng Chun , the Blue House in Wan Chai , and
6400-617: The central government in Beijing in June 2020 resulted in the suspension of bilateral extradition treaties by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, and Ireland. The United States ended its preferential economic and trade treatment of Hong Kong in July 2020 because it was no longer able to distinguish Hong Kong as a separate entity from the People's Republic of China. In 2024,
6528-730: The tallest buildings in Hong Kong and are among the tallest in the Asia-Pacific region. Other distinctive buildings lining the Hong Kong Island skyline include the HSBC Main Building , the anemometer -topped triangular Central Plaza , the circular Hopewell Centre , and the sharp-edged Bank of China Tower . Demand for new construction has contributed to frequent demolition of older buildings, freeing space for modern high-rises. However, many examples of European and Lingnan architecture are still found throughout
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#17327717930016656-526: The "Red Indian" as he would often come back from long swims with a red face. Before returning to Watson's office on Fleet Street , he tested himself by swimming to the Varne Lightvessel and back again, a distance of 13 miles (21 km). Watson was surprised by Webb's return and introduced him to Fred Beckwith , a coach at Lambeth Baths in south London . Watson and Beckwith arranged a secret trial of Webb, watching him swim breaststroke down
6784-636: The 1279 Battle of Yamen by the Yuan Dynasty. By the end of the Yuan dynasty , seven large families had settled in the region and owned most of the land. Settlers from nearby provinces migrated to Kowloon throughout the Ming dynasty . The earliest European visitor was Portuguese explorer Jorge Álvares , who arrived in 1513. Portuguese merchants established a trading post called Tamão in Hong Kong waters and began regular trade with southern China. Although
6912-504: The 37 minutes before he was rescued, Webb nearly drowned. The man was never found, but the passengers of the Russia gave Webb a purse of gold and upon returning home, he learned that his attempted rescue had won him the first Stanhope Medal and made him a hero in the British press. From 1865 to 1875, Webb worked on seven ships, the last being the Emerald , where he served as captain for six months. In mid-1872, Webb read an account of
7040-492: The Channel in a survival suit . Although Boyton used a suit, the public viewed them as rivals, forcing Webb to match the standards of endurance that Boyton set. Webb called Boyton "an obvious fraud". On 3 July Beckwith organised a spectacle with Webb attempting a 20-mile (32 km) swim from Blackwall to Gravesend along the River Thames, which he finished in 4 hours and 52 minutes. Although Webb gained media attention for
7168-781: The Hong Kong area into China for the first time in 214 BCE, after conquering the indigenous Baiyue . The region was consolidated under the Nanyue kingdom (a predecessor state of Vietnam ) after the Qin collapse and recaptured by China after the Han conquest . During the Mongol conquest of China in the 13th century, the Southern Song court was briefly located in modern-day Kowloon City (the Sung Wong Toi site) before its final defeat in
7296-599: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). Earliest known human traces in what is now Hong Kong are dated by some to 35,000 and 39,000 years ago during the Paleolithic period. The claim is based on an archaeological investigation in Wong Tei Tung , Sai Kung in 2003. The archaeological works revealed knapped stone tools from deposits that were dated using optical luminescence dating . During
7424-406: The Legislative Council and the requirement that all candidates be vetted and approved by a Beijing-appointed Candidate Eligibility Review Committee . In May 2023, the Legislative Council also introduced legislation to reduce the number of directly elected seats in the district councils, and a District Council Eligibility Review Committee was similarly established to vet candidates. Hong Kong
7552-548: The Legislative Council in the 2016 election . These parties have aligned themselves into three ideological groups: the pro-Beijing camp (the current government), the pro-democracy camp , and localist groups . The Chinese Communist Party does not have an official political presence in Hong Kong, and its members do not run in local elections. Hong Kong is represented in the National People's Congress by 36 deputies chosen through an electoral college and 203 delegates in
7680-432: The Legislative Council passed the National Anthem Ordinance , which criminalised "insults to the national anthem of China". The Chinese central government meanwhile enacted the Hong Kong national security law to help quell protests in the region. Nine months later, in March 2021, the Chinese central government introduced amendments to Hong Kong's electoral system , which included the reduction of directly elected seats in
7808-438: The New Territories. Much of this is built on reclaimed land ; 70 km (27 sq mi) (6% of the total land or about 25% of developed space in the territory) is reclaimed from the sea. Undeveloped terrain is hilly to mountainous, with very little flat land, and consists mostly of grassland, woodland, shrubland, or farmland. About 40% of the remaining land area is country parks and nature reserves. The territory has
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#17327717930017936-418: The Philippines and Indonesia, have little protection under regional law. Although they live and work in Hong Kong, these workers are not treated as ordinary residents and do not have the right of abode in the territory. Sex trafficking is also an issue, local, mainland Chinese, and foreign women have been trafficked for sex in brothels , homes, and businesses in the city. The Joint Declaration guarantees
8064-406: The Standing Committee declares a state of emergency in Hong Kong, the State Council may enforce national law in the region. The territory's jurisdictional independence is most apparent in its immigration and taxation policies. The Immigration Department issues passports for permanent residents which differ from those of the mainland or Macau, and the region maintains a regulated border with
8192-435: The ability to maintain separate economic and cultural relations with foreign nations . The territory actively participates in the World Trade Organization , the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the International Olympic Committee , and many United Nations agencies. The regional government maintains trade offices in Greater China and other nations. The imposition of the Hong Kong national security law by
8320-402: The aforementioned acts were previously considered protected speech under Hong Kong law. The United Kingdom considers the law to be a serious violation of the Joint Declaration. In October 2020, the Hong Kong Police arrested seven pro- democracy politicians over tussles with pro-Beijing politicians in the Legislative Council in May. They were charged with contempt and interfering with members of
8448-505: The agreement. After more than a year of further hostilities, Hong Kong Island was formally ceded to the United Kingdom in the 1842 Treaty of Nanking . Administrative infrastructure was quickly built by early 1842, but piracy, disease, and hostile Qing policies initially prevented the government from attracting commerce. Conditions on the island improved during the Taiping Rebellion in the 1850s, when many Chinese refugees, including wealthy merchants, fled mainland turbulence and settled in
8576-399: The area of the New Territories has nine districts. Each district is represented by a district council . The district councils advise the government on local issues such as public facility provisioning, community programme maintenance, cultural promotion, and environmental policy. As of 2024, there are a total of 470 district council seats, 88 of which are directly elected. In May 2023,
8704-487: The boat continued on to Calais, where Johnson jumped off the boat and swam to shore. The crowd waiting for him believed Johnson had swum the channel, and Johnson briefly entertained this idea. However, later he said that he never intended to swim the whole channel, and that it was all a stunt for publicity. The first successful attempt was by Paul Boyton , wearing a rubber survival suit designed for passengers of sinking ships. On 28 May 1875, on his second attempt, he entered
8832-493: The channel has been crossed by over 2500 swimmers. After his record swim, Webb received recognition internationally and pursued a career as a professional swimmer. He began lecturing on his career and swimming-related topics, where he opposed the common Victorian practice of forcefully dunking children, suggesting instead they learn by experimenting for themselves in shallow water. He also licensed his name for merchandise, including commemorative pottery and matches. Webb also wrote
8960-1041: The chief executive is selected by establishment politicians and corporate members of the Election Committee rather than directly elected. Despite universal suffrage being established as ultimate goals for the election of the chief executive and all members of the Legislative Council in Articles 45 and 68 of the basic law, the legislature is only partially directly elected, and the executive continues to be nominated by an unrepresentative body. The government has been repeatedly petitioned to introduce direct elections for these positions, but has not introduced these direct elections as of 2024. Ethnic minorities (except those of European ancestry) have marginal representation in government and often experience discrimination in housing, education, and employment. Employment vacancies and public service appointments frequently have language requirements which minority job seekers do not meet, and language education resources remain inadequate for Chinese learners. Foreign domestic helpers , mostly women from
9088-511: The colony. Further tensions between the British and Qing over the opium trade escalated into the Second Opium War . The Qing were again defeated and forced to give up Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island in the Convention of Peking . By the end of this war, Hong Kong had evolved from a transient colonial outpost into a major entrepôt . Rapid economic improvement during the 1850s attracted foreign investment, as potential stakeholders became more confident in Hong Kong's future. The colony
9216-433: The colour of soil over which a waterfall on the island flowed. The simplified name Hong Kong was frequently used by 1810. The name was also commonly written as the single word Hongkong until 1926, when the government officially adopted the two-word name. Some corporations founded during the early colonial era still keep this name, including Hongkong Land , Hongkong Electric Company , Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels and
9344-590: The council, while none of the pro-Beijing lawmakers were detained. Annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre were also cancelled amidst fears of violating the national security law. In March 2021, the Chinese central government unilaterally changed Hong Kong's electoral system and established the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee , which would be tasked with screening and evaluating political candidates for their "patriotism", effectively crushing
9472-433: The crossing and setting the record for the fastest time, breaking the previous mark set by Tirabocchi by almost two hours. A reporter from The New York Times , who had accompanied Ederle's support team on a tugboat, recounted that Ederle was confronted by a British immigration official, who recorded the biographical details of Ederle and the individuals on board the ship, none of whom had been carrying their passports. Ederle
9600-400: The crossing without the aid of artificial buoyancy. His first attempt ended in failure, but on 25 August 1875, he started from Admiralty Pier in Dover and made the crossing in 21 hours and 45 minutes, despite challenging tides (which delayed him for 5 hours) and a jellyfish sting. 80 failed attempts were made by a variety of people before Thomas William Burgess , on 6 September 1911, became
9728-541: The crowds at the hotel and touring a lace factory, Webb and George Ward boarded the flag-decorated Castalia for their return to England. Webb briefly went to the saloon but soon moved to the deck, where he was greeted by a cheering crowd. At Dover Harbour , a crowd eagerly awaited him. Webb, Toms and the crew boarded a carriage to the Flying Horse Inn . Webb soon grew tired of the crowd and tried to leave for his home in Wellington via train. The crowd accompanied him to
9856-641: The day ended with a bonfire and fireworks. When Webb visited the Baltic Exchange in London, workers stopped to cheer him. He accepted invitations to visit the Lord Mayor of London , receive an ovation at the Royal Cambridge Music Hall and have his portrait drawn. Webb received gifts, including gold cuff links and collar studs, a gold watch and a North London Swimming Club gold cross. The London Stock Exchange established him
9984-469: The end of the New Territories lease approached, and Governor Murray MacLehose raised the question of Hong Kong's status with Deng Xiaoping in 1979. Diplomatic negotiations with China resulted in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration , in which the United Kingdom agreed to the handover of the colony in 1997 and China would guarantee Hong Kong's economic and political systems for 50 years after
10112-553: The failed attempt by J. B. Johnson to swim the English Channel, and became inspired to try. In 1874 Webb sought financial backers for his Channel attempt and other long swims. He approached Robert Watson , owner of the Swimming, Rowing and Athletic Record and Swimming Notes and Record , for support. Though Watson doubted Webb would attempt the channel, he advised him to wait until next summer for better weather. Webb agreed and moved to Dover to practice. Locals there nicknamed him
10240-441: The feat impressive but useless. On 22 August, Paul Boyton and Webb raced at Newport beach, each wagering $ 1,000, and James Bennett (Newport casino owner) added another $ 1,000 to the prize pool. Two white buoys were placed half a mile apart; Webb was tasked with swimming around them 20 times in regular trunks, while Boyton completed 25 laps in his suit. A large crowd gathered on the beach, and Boyton took an early lead. Webb suffered
10368-520: The feat, low public interest on the rainy day meant Beckwith lost money. As a result, Webb hired a new manager, Arthur Payne , sporting editor of The Standard . On 17 July Webb announced his attempt to swim the English Channel with a statement in Bell's Life and Land and Water : I am authorised by Captain Webb to announce his full determination to attempt the feat of swimming across the Channel... Beyond
10496-572: The government proposed reforms to the District Council electoral system which further cut the number of directly elected seats from 452 to 88, and total seats from 479 to 470. A requirement that district council candidates be vetted and approved by the District Council Eligibility Review Committee was also proposed. The Legislative Council approved the reforms in July 2023. Hong Kong
10624-418: The handover. The impending handover triggered a wave of mass emigration as residents feared an erosion of civil rights, the rule of law, and quality of life. Over half a million people left the territory during the peak migration period, from 1987 to 1996. The Legislative Council became a fully elected legislature for the first time in 1995 and extensively expanded its functions and organisations throughout
10752-414: The harsh conditions, Webb soon became popular on the Conway and earned the nickname "Chummy Webb". The routine was regulated, but allowed time for play, and students studied both traditional subjects and nautical skills. Webb rescued a student who had fallen overboard. He impressed his peers by swimming for extended periods. In 1862, Webb began a three-year apprenticeship on eastern cargo ships operated by
10880-401: The last years of the colonial rule. The handover of Hong Kong to China was at midnight on 1 July 1997, after 156 years of British rule. Immediately after the handover, Hong Kong was severely affected by several crises. The Hong Kong government was forced to use substantial foreign exchange reserves to maintain the Hong Kong dollar's currency peg during the 1997 Asian financial crisis , and
11008-536: The maritime area is included) consists of Hong Kong Island , the Kowloon Peninsula , the New Territories , Lantau Island , and over 200 other islands. Of the total area, 1,073 km (414 sq mi) is land and 35 km (14 sq mi) is water. The territory's highest point is Tai Mo Shan , 957 metres (3,140 ft) above sea level. Urban development is concentrated on the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island, and in new towns throughout
11136-735: The north and occasionally result in chilly weather. Autumn is the sunniest season, whilst spring is generally cloudy. Snowfall has been extremely rare in Hong Kong; the last reported instance was on Tai Mo Shan in 1975. Hong Kong averages 1,709 hours of sunshine per year. Historic temperature extremes at the Hong Kong Observatory are 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) on 22 August 2017 and 0.0 °C (32.0 °F) on 18 January 1893. The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in all of Hong Kong are 39.0 °C (102 °F) at Wetland Park on 22 August 2017, and −6.0 °C (21.2 °F) at Tai Mo Shan on 24 January 2016 . Hong Kong has
11264-484: The opium trade. The commissioner destroyed opium stockpiles and halted all foreign trade, triggering a British military response and the First Opium War . The Qing surrendered early in the war and ceded Hong Kong Island in the Convention of Chuenpi . British forces began controlling Hong Kong shortly after the signing of the convention, from 26 January 1841. However, both countries were dissatisfied and did not ratify
11392-591: The population speak Mandarin, with 2.3% native speakers and 51.9% as a second language. Traditional Chinese characters are used in writing, rather than the simplified characters used in the mainland . Among the religious population, the traditional " three teachings " of China, Buddhism , Confucianism , and Taoism , have the most adherents (20%), followed by Christianity (12%) and Islam (4%). Followers of other religions, including Sikhism , Hinduism , and Judaism , generally originate from regions where their religion predominates. Life expectancy in Hong Kong
11520-440: The post-war decades to provide safer housing, integrity in the civil service, and more reliable transportation. Nevertheless, widespread public discontent resulted in multiple protests from the 1950s to 1980s, including pro- Republic of China and pro- Chinese Communist Party protests. In the 1967 Hong Kong riots , pro- PRC protestors clashed with the British colonial government. As many as 51 were killed and 802 were injured in
11648-468: The principle of one country, two systems . Originally a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages, the territory is now one of the world's most significant financial centres and commercial ports. Hong Kong is the world's third-ranked global financial centre (behind New York City and London ), ninth-largest exporter, and eighth-largest importer. Its currency, the Hong Kong dollar ,
11776-476: The recovery from this was muted by an H5N1 avian-flu outbreak and a housing surplus. This was followed by the 2003 SARS epidemic , during which the territory experienced its most serious economic downturn. Chinese communists portrayed the return of Hong Kong as key moment in the PRC's rise to great power status. Political debates after the handover have centred around the region's democratic development and
11904-543: The region into a wasteland. The Kangxi Emperor lifted the maritime trade prohibition, allowing foreigners to enter Chinese ports in 1684. Qing authorities established the Canton System in 1757 to regulate trade more strictly, restricting non-Russian ships to the port of Canton . Although European demand for Chinese commodities like tea, silk, and porcelain was high, Chinese interest in European manufactured goods
12032-731: The remainder of the Pro-Democracy camp . Hong Kong is on China's southern coast, 60 km (37 mi) east of Macau, on the east side of the mouth of the Pearl River estuary . It is surrounded by the South China Sea on all sides except the north, which neighbours the Guangdong city of Shenzhen along the Sham Chun River . The territory's 1,110.18 km (428.64 sq mi) area (2,754.97 km if
12160-412: The rest of the country. All travellers between Hong Kong and China and Macau must pass through border controls, regardless of nationality. Mainland Chinese citizens do not have right of abode in Hong Kong and are subject to immigration controls. Public finances are handled separately from the national government; taxes levied in Hong Kong do not fund the central authority. The Hong Kong Garrison of
12288-644: The rope until the propeller was freed. Saunders & Co. never acknowledged his efforts so he left for the United States. Disliking the US, Webb took a job as an ordinary seaman on the Cunard Line ship Russia to return to the UK. During the voyage, he attempted to rescue a man overboard by jumping into the cold mid-Atlantic ocean while the ship was travelling at 14.5 kn (26.9 km/h; 16.7 mph). During
12416-651: The second person to make the crossing. He crossed from Dover to Cap Gris Nez in 22 hours and 35 minutes at his 16th bid. Burgess ate a hearty meal of ham and eggs before starting his swim. He had only trained for 18 hours beforehand, and his longest practice swim was only 10 kilometres (6 mi). Henry Sullivan was successful at his seventh attempt. He entered the water in Dover at 4:20 on Sunday afternoon, 5 August 1923. Choppy waters and capricious tides forced him to swim an estimated 90 kilometres (56 mi). He reached shore at Calais at 8:05 pm on 6 August, finishing in 27 hours and 45 minutes. Two other swimmers completed
12544-481: The southwest. The humid nature of Hong Kong exacerbates the warmth of summer. Typhoons occur most often then, sometimes resulting in floods or landslides. Also rarely occurring are waterspouts and tornadoes , which occurred at Hong Kong International Airport on 26 September 2020 and at Victoria Harbour on 28 September 2024. Winters are short, mild and usually sunny at the beginning, becoming cloudy towards February. Frequent cold fronts bring strong, cooling winds from
12672-467: The sweet taste of the harbour's freshwater influx from the Pearl River or to the odour from incense factories lining the coast of northern Kowloon . The incense was stored near Aberdeen Harbour for export before Victoria Harbour was developed. Sir John Davis (the second colonial governor) offered an alternative origin; Davis said that the name derived from "Hoong-keang" ("red torrent"), reflecting
12800-443: The swim in a time of 15 hours and 29 minutes, one hour longer than the record set by Gertrude Ederle three weeks earlier. Jackie Cobell had intended to make the crossing by a more direct route in July 2010, but inadvertently set the record for the slowest solo swim, when strong currents forced her to swim a total of 105 kilometres (65 mi) in 28 hours and 44 minutes, breaking the record set by Henry Sullivan in 1923, who had been
12928-481: The swim that same summer. Enrique Tirabocchi , from Argentina, completed the swim on 13 August, finishing in a record time of 16 hours and 33 minutes and the first person to swim the route starting from France. American Charles Toth of Boston completed the swim on 9 September 1923, in 16 hours and 40 minutes, two days after the expiration of a £ 1,000 prize offered by the Daily Sketch for anyone who completed
13056-531: The swim, a prize that both Sullivan and Tirabocchi received from a representative of the Daily Sketch waiting on the shore with a cheque in hand. Gertrude Ederle 's successful cross-channel swim began at Gris Nez in France at 07:05 am on 6 August 1926. Her trainer was Burgess. She came ashore at Kingsdown , Kent , England, in a total time of 14 hours and 39 minutes, making her the first woman to complete
13184-465: The territory. The vast majority also hold Chinese nationality , automatically granted to all ethnic Chinese residents at the handover. Headline population density exceeds 7,060 people/km , and is the fourth-highest in the world. The predominant language is Cantonese , a variety of Chinese originating in Guangdong. It is spoken by 93.7% of the population, 88.2% as a first language and 5.5% as
13312-512: The territory. Older government buildings are examples of colonial architecture. The 1846 Flagstaff House , the former residence of the Commander of the British forces in Hong Kong , is the oldest Western-style building in Hong Kong. Some buildings, such as the Court of Final Appeal Building and the Hong Kong Observatory retain their original functions, and others have been adapted and reused ;
13440-465: The third person, and the first American, to make the crossing. Hong Kong Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China . With 7.4 million residents of various nationalities in a 1,104-square-kilometre (426 sq mi) territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the world. Hong Kong was established as a colony of the British Empire after
13568-525: The traders were expelled after military clashes in the 1520s, Portuguese-Chinese trade relations were re-established by 1549 . Portugal acquired a permanent lease for Macau in 1887. After the Qing conquest , maritime trade was banned under the Haijin policies. From 1661 to 1683, the population of most of the area forming present day Hong Kong was cleared under the Great Clearance , turning
13696-600: The train station, while the song " See the Conquering Hero Comes " was played. In Wellington, a crowd brought his carriage to Ironbridge , where the Mayor of Wenlock greeted him. The journey was lit by candles, torches and lanterns held by the residents. On Monday, he was met by a group from Dawley. They escorted him and his family down the High Street, where people welcomed him. Flowers lined his route, and
13824-485: The violence, including dozens killed by the Royal Hong Kong Police via beatings and shootings. Although the territory's competitiveness in manufacturing gradually declined because of rising labour and property costs, it transitioned to a service-based economy. By the early 1990s, Hong Kong had established itself as a global financial centre and shipping hub. The colony faced an uncertain future as
13952-756: The war, as skilled Chinese migrants fled from the Chinese Civil War and more refugees crossed the border when the Chinese Communist Party took control of mainland China in 1949. Hong Kong became the first of the Four Asian Tiger economies to industrialise during the 1950s. With a rapidly increasing population, the colonial government attempted reforms to improve infrastructure and public services. The public-housing estate programme , Independent Commission Against Corruption , and Mass Transit Railway were all established during
14080-614: The water at Cap Gris-Nez at 03:00, accompanied by the Prince Ernest and captained by Edward Dane. By 06:00, Boyton was 5 miles from the French coast, and at 11:45, he was halfway. At 18:30, Boyton was 4 miles from Dover, and by 02:30, he had laded at Fan Bay, near the Port of Dover . He completed the swim in around 23 1 ⁄ 2 hours. The press began to portray him as a rival of endurance swimmer Matthew Webb. Matthew Webb made
14208-494: The world's largest number of skyscrapers , with 554 towers taller than 150 metres (490 ft), and the third-largest number of high-rise buildings in the world. The lack of available space restricted development to high-density residential tenements and commercial complexes packed closely together on buildable land. Single-family detached homes are uncommon and generally only found in outlying areas. The International Commerce Centre and Two International Finance Centre are
14336-418: Was 40.5 in (1,030 mm) and he was 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall. At 12:56 pm, Webb dived from the pier in his red silk swimming costume. He set off into the ebb tide which carried him for the first three-quarters of a mile. Webb was backed by the Ann and two smaller rowing boats operated by Charles Baker, who joined Webb in the water for parts of the swim, and John Graham Chambers . Aboard
14464-420: Was 81.3 years for males and 87.2 years for females in 2022, one of the highest in the world. Cancer , pneumonia , heart disease , cerebrovascular disease , and accidents are the territory's five leading causes of death. The universal public healthcare system is funded by general-tax revenue, and treatment is highly subsidised; on average, 95% of healthcare costs are covered by the government. The city has
14592-476: Was a 20-mile journey from Dover to Ramsgate . He hired a local boatman and invited a reporter from the Dover Chronicle . Despite heavy rain, he set off just before 10:00 with the tide in his favour. Webb alternated between breaststroke and sidestroke , finishing in eight hours and 40 minutes at Ramsgate Pier . The only newspaper to report was the Dover Chronicle . After his long swims, Webb underwent
14720-446: Was admired by his comrades. After his third voyage, he passed his second mate qualification. Webb's contract expired in 1865, after which he became a second mate for Saunders & Co., another Liverpool-based shipping company. He worked on ships to Japan, Brazil and Egypt. Webb was confident in his physical abilities, especially in swimming. He would leap off the yardarm into the sea, and earned an extra £1 per day for anchoring near
14848-529: Was against Ernest Von Schoening, who defeated him in the "Endurance Championship of the World" on 14 September. Webb left the water after swimming 6 miles (9.7 km), and Hartley later said he had felt cramps coming on. Overall, Webb was unsuccessful in America and lost money on the trip. On 27 April 1880, Webb and Madeleine Kate Chaddock married at St Andrew's Church , West Kensington , and they later had two children, Matthew and Helen. Webb's next endeavour
14976-441: Was beaten by Montague Holbein . By 1879, Webb was in financial trouble. To raise funds, he entered a long-distance swimming race organised by Beckwith. The swimmers were tasked with swimming as far as possible over six days. The race was a moderate success for Beckwith, and Webb won the £70 prize. He swam 74 miles (119 km), averaging 14 hours per day. Webb was attracting less attention, so in 1880 he went to America. He found
15104-452: Was finally allowed to come ashore, after promising that she would report to the authorities the following morning. L. Walter Lissberger financed the $ 3,000 in expenses that Amelia Gade Corson and her husband incurred in preparing for the Channel swim. Lissberger made a wager with Lloyd's of London betting that she would succeed in crossing the Channel, and received a payout of $ 100,000 at odds of 20–1 when she completed her swim. She
15232-573: Was floating for 60 hours in the Royal Aquarium in Westminster . Members of the public were distracted by other attractions, and few paid attention to him. He followed this with a 74-hour float at Scarborough Aquarium, which also received little public attention. In 1881, Webb's friend Frank Buckland from the Land and Water died, and Webb fell ill. Nevertheless, he continued swimming, participating in another six-day race at Lambeth Baths and
15360-538: Was further expanded in 1898 when the United Kingdom obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories. The University of Hong Kong was established in 1911 as the territory's first institution of higher education. Kai Tak Airport began operation in 1924, and the colony avoided a prolonged economic downturn after the 1925–26 Canton–Hong Kong strike . At the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Governor Geoffry Northcote declared Hong Kong
15488-487: Was held on 6 September. The details of the race are unclear, but the referee refused to declare a winner and later accused Webb of cheating by swimming to shore and running across the beach. Webb denied the accusation, and it was revealed that the referee was Boyton's fiancée's father. Boyton challenged Webb again in a letter to the New York Herald , offering greater odds, but Webb did not respond. Webb's next race
15616-531: Was insignificant, so that Chinese goods could only be bought with precious metals. To reduce the trade imbalance, the British sold large amounts of Indian opium to China. Faced with a drug crisis, Qing officials pursued ever more aggressive actions to halt the opium trade. In 1839, the Daoguang Emperor rejected proposals to legalise and tax opium and ordered imperial commissioner Lin Zexu to eradicate
15744-528: Was one of 13 children of the surgeon Dr Matthew Webb. In 1849, when Webb was 14 months old, his family moved to Madeley , and then in 1856 to Coalbrookdale , where they lived near the River Severn. Webb's first memory involved the water. After school he would go with friends to play in the Severn, so by the age of seven he could swim. This was uncommon for the time, as swimming was not generally considered
15872-469: Was one of three swimmers who were trying to make the swim across the Channel at the same time starting at 11:32 at night on 28 August 1926, leaving from Cape Gris Nez. The two men with her failed, Egyptian swimmer Ishak Helmy dropping out after three hours and an English swimmer failing one mile (1.6 km) from Dover's Shakespeare Cliffs. With her husband rowing alongside in a dory and providing her with hot chocolate, sugar lumps and crackers, she completed
16000-542: Was quickly discredited when one of the witnesses was found to be fictitious. Cavill continued to taunt Webb for years. Webb did not make much money, but lived a high-cost lifestyle and was generous. In 1877, he bet £100 (about £12,000 today) at 20-to-1 odds that he could swim from Gravesend to Woolwich along the Thames. He completed the 40-mile swim which broke the record for the longest freshwater swim, and earned publicity from The Times . The record stood until 1899 when it
16128-516: Was recognised for two acts of bravery: in the Suez Canal , he freed the ship's propeller from an entangling rope by diving underwater and cutting it, and in the Atlantic Ocean , he jumped in to attempt to save a man who had fallen overboard while the ship was travelling at 14.5 kn (26.9 km/h; 16.7 mph). This latter act earned him the first Stanhope medal . In 1875, on his second attempt, Webb gained fame by successfully swimming
16256-443: Was stung painfully by a jellyfish , but he continued after a shot of brandy, and by 23:00, Toms believed they were over halfway. A mail boat named The Maid of Kent passed Webb, with passengers cheering. For five hours, the currents off Cap Gris-Nez prevented him from reaching the shore, and he was visibly struggling. By 21:30, Webb had slowed to twelve strokes per minute, and the crew grew anxious. The Maid of Kent returned with
16384-456: Was suggested in parliament that Webb be knighted, with Richard Henry Horne being Webb's strongest advocate, but it never happened. It took 36 years for anyone else to swim the channel, accomplished by Thomas Burgess in 1911. After Burgess completed the crossing, Webb's widow was interviewed. She was pleased that Burgess had succeeded, as it demonstrated the crossing was possible and would silence those who doubted Webb's achievement. Since then,
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