Hong Kong's history has
been one of material and social improvement: the expansion of cities
and towns by cutting into hillsides; reclaiming land from the sea;
and the building of homes, schools, hospitals and other public facilities
to meet the demands of the growing population.
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HONG KONG became a Special Administrative
Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration, signed between China and Britain on
December 19, 1984, provides that Hong Kong's lifestyle will remain
unchanged for 50 years after 1997. Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of
autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs, and China's socialist
system and policies will not be practised in the SAR.
In recent years, Hong Kong's relationship with the Mainland has
strengthened — not only in terms of business ties but also in the
extent of government contacts and the flow of people. This close relationship
is the product of culture, location and history.
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