Hong Kong Timeline

Prologue：

This exhibition explores how political turning points shape individual mobility and identity reconstruction by weaving together Hong Kong’s history and migration trajectories.

A Moving City: Hong Kong → Canada

A city does not move—people do.
But when people keep leaving, the city itself begins to drift.

From the cession of Hong Kong in 1842 to the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, this exhibition traces key historical turning points and connects them to waves of migration.

This is not only a history of events, but a history of choices—of leaving and staying.

Here, history is not static. It moves through people, across borders, and continues in memory.

Defined Cities – Hong Kong

• 1842 | Treaty of Nanking
  The United Kingdom obtained Hong Kong Island, marking the start of its colonial era.
• 1860 | Convention of Peking
  The Kowloon Peninsula (south of Boundary Street) was ceded to Britain.
• 1898 | Annexation of New Territories Order
  New Territories were leased for 99 years, establishing modern Hong Kong’s boundaries.
• 1911 | Xinhai Revolution
  A large influx of mainland migrants arrived; Hong Kong became a safe haven and transit hub.
• 1941–1945 | Japanese Occupation
  Hong Kong was first removed from British rule, suffering severe social and demographic damage.
• 1949 | Founding of the People’s Republic of China
  Refugees moved south; Hong Kong’s population surged and industrialisation accelerated.

I. Colonial Period to Post‑War (1940s–1970s)

• 1967 | Leftist Riots
  Influenced by the Cultural Revolution, society was turbulent; the colonial government tightened control and implemented reforms.
• 1971 | Removal from UN List of Colonies
  China asserted sovereignty, shaping future negotiations.
• 1974 | Establishment of the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption)
  Tackled corruption, restoring governmental credibility.
• 1982 | Sino‑British Talks on Hong Kong’s Future
  Laid the groundwork for the handover.

During this phase, migration was modest but began to take shape:

• After 1949: mainland refugees came; some later relocated to Canada.
• 1967 riots: societal instability prompted some middle‑class families to consider emigration.
• Canada gradually relaxed immigration policies (technical migration scheme of 1967).

Characteristics:
“Trial‑and‑error” migration – small‑scale flows by individuals or families.

1984 | Sino‑British Joint Declaration

Established the “One Country, Two Systems” principle; Hong Kong would return to China in 1997.

• 1989 | Tiananmen Square Incident
  Triggered large demonstrations and heightened democratic consciousness.
• 1991 | First Direct Legislative Council Elections
  A significant step for Hong Kong’s democracy.
• 1997 | Handover of Sovereignty
  Creation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; “One Country, Two Systems” formally implemented.

II. Pre‑Handover Anxiety Period (1980s–1997) – Largest Migration Wave

This is the most critical migration wave:

• Post‑1984: Confirmation of return to China caused unease.
• 1989 Tiananmen: Confidence collapsed dramatically.
• 1990–1997: Large numbers of Hong Kong residents emigrated to Canada (Vancouver, Toronto).

Characteristics:

• Mass exodus of middle‑class professionals
• Emergence of “space‑family” situations where family members remained in Canada while the primary earners stayed in Hong Kong.
• Canada became a top destination.

Impact:

• Richmond and Markham emergence of “space‑family” situations where family members remained in Canada while the primary earners stayed in Hong Kong.
• Reshaping local cultural and economic structures.

The Decision to Leave

When the future becomes uncertain, people begin to leave.

The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration confirmed the transfer of sovereignty. The events of 1989 further deepened public anxiety.

During this period, large numbers of Hong Kong residents emigrated, forming one of the most significant migration waves in the city’s history.

Families were split across cities and time zones. The “astronaut family” emerged as a new way of life.

Leaving was no longer just a physical act—it became a response to an uncertain future.

• 2003 | Protest against the enactment of Article 23 of the Basic Law
  Half a million people took to the streets, showcasing civil society’s strength.
• 2012 | Anti‑national education movement
  The younger generation emerged, deepening civic consciousness.
• 2014 | Umbrella Movement (Occupation of Central)
  Demands for genuine universal suffrage; social divisions intensified.
• 2016 | Legislative Council oath‑taking controversy
  Tensions between the local and central governments escalated.
• 2019 | Anti‑extradition bill movement
  Millions marched; it evolved into a sustained social movement drawing international attention.
• 2020 | Implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law
  The political environment shifted dramatically, marking the beginning of a new era.

New Migration Wave

• Key milestones: 2019 anti‑extradition protests and the 2020 National Security Law.

This is the second large‑scale migration wave:

• Post‑2019 social movement: Political risk surged sharply.
• Implementation of the 2020 National Security Law: Institutional transformation.
• Canada introduced a dedicated policy (the “lifeboat” scheme).

Characteristics:

• A significant increase in the proportion of young migrants.
• Migration driven not merely by economic factors but by choices of values and freedom.
• The decision to emigrate is more “irreversible.”

Resonance Continues

What we leave behind is not only a place.
What we carry with us is not only memory.

In another city, language, sound, image, and emotion are reassembled.
Hong Kong does not disappear—it continues, in different forms, across different places.

Where you stand now may already be part of this history.

Summary:
What we leave behind is more than just a place.
What we take with us is more than just memories.
Some things will continue to resonate in another location.