In 1839 the refusal by Qing Dynasty authorities to import opium resulted in the First Opium War between China and Britain. Hong Kong Island was occupied by British forces on 20 January 1841 and was initially ceded under the Convention of Chuenpee as part of a ceasefire agreement between Captain Charles Elliot and Governor Qishan, but the agreement was never ratified due to a dispute between high-ranking officials in both governments. It was not until 29 August 1842 that the island was formally ceded in perpetuity to the United Kingdom under the
Treaty of Nanking. The British established a crown colony with the founding of Victoria City the following year.
In 1860 after China's defeat in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutter's Island were ceded in perpetuity to Britain under the
Convention of Peking.
In 1898 under the terms of the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, Britain obtained a 99-year lease of Lantau Island and the adjacent northern lands, which became known as the New Territories. Hong Kong's territory has remained unchanged to the present.
Under the Convention Peking in 1860 territory south of Boundary Street and Stonecutter Island were cede to the British
More than 300,000 refugees entered HK in late 40s. A woman and her baby on Boundary St shelter.
The British War Dept stationed in the general vicinity of Austin Rd
Boundary St 界限街 today
Austin Rd 柯士甸道 today
View of Kowloon 1930s
花园道口以东之皇后大道东西段,金钟道的金钟道死亡弯角 中環 60s Queensway
金钟道 today
in Ma Tau Chung 馬頭涌 above Kowloon Bay near the old Kai Tak Airport.
