hong kong chronicles: overview & chronology

Foreword
General Rules
Overview
Chronology
Appendices
Bibliography


 

Foreword

Preservation of Our History Through Hong Kong Chronicles   

　　It is said that “A mighty tree grows from its roots just as a great river flows from its source。” As part of human civilisation and of Chinese tradition，we in Hong Kong have long aspired to trace our roots and preserve our history。   

　　Since ancient times，our ancestors have lived and thrived on the land of Hong Kong，leaving behind traces of their lives and of an evolution spanning thousands of years。 However，for over 200 years since the compilation of Xin’an County Local Chronicles in 1819，no other Chinese local chronicles with reference to Hong Kong had been published。

　　Yet，these two centuries were a significant period witnessing the remarkable growth of Hong Kong into a cosmopolitan city through the hard work and dedication of its people。 During the same period，Hong Kong's unbroken bond and its shared future with the Mainland were manifest。 The British occupation of Hong Kong since 1841 ushered in 150 years of dramatic ups and downs。 The return of Hong Kong in 1997 set the stage for a new era of rejuvenation alongside the motherland。 Hong Kong，frequently looked askance as a “borrowed place” on “borrowed time” in the past，has transformed since 1997 into a Special Administrative Region within the framework of “One Country，Two Systems。” We，the people of Hong Kong，should no longer see ourselves as transients but should strive to deepen our understanding and strengthen our ties with the Mainland。 That way，we shall be able to take on the responsibility as masters of our own house and find the right direction toward building a brighter future。   

　　Local chronicles have the important functions of preserving history，providing reference for policymaking and educating the people。 Through the compilation of local chronicles，it serves to seek out，preserve and promote the stories of people，their socio-economic development and way of life as well as political structure。 It plays an important role of cultural significance in driving the future by reflecting on the past。

　　At Hong Kong Chronicles Institute，our goal is to compile a comprehensive record of Hong Kong’s past，with detailed materials on its natural environment，politics，economy，society，culture and people。 We hope Hong Kong Chronicles as a book series will become an enduring body of information and a source of wisdom in support of Hong Kong’s continued development。