--- description: The uprising that sprang into action in Hong Kong this week is part of a long history of political conflict in the region title: Hong Kong China Democracy Protests Reasons and History image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte8df4a840235215d/6986a5e7cd6848925c096b2f/hong-kong.jpeg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [History](/section/history/) ## History Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [politics](/tag/politics/) ## politics Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Protests in Hong Kong: A Brief History  by [Lily Rothman](/author/lily-rothman/)  ## Lily Rothman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Rothman is managing editor at TIME. Sep 29, 2014 8:55 PM CUT  A pro-China protester arrested by police officers during a demonstration in Hong Kong on May 18, 1967. A pro-China protester arrested by police officers during a demonstration in Hong Kong on May 18, 1967.Gamma-Keystone / Getty Images  by [Lily Rothman](/author/lily-rothman/)  ## Lily Rothman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Rothman is managing editor at TIME. Sep 29, 2014 8:55 PM CUT **Correction appended: Sept. 29, 2014, 9:50 a.m. E.T.** For a region of only about 400 square miles, Hong Kong has seen more than its share of protest in the last century. The [uprising](http://time.com/3442228/hong-kong-5-takeaways/ "undefined") that sprang into action this week — as “Occupy Central” [protesters demand the ability to elect their next local government head](http://time.com/3443720/hong-kong-china-democracy-protests-occupy-central-students/ "undefined"), the Chief Executive, without the intervention of Beijing — is part of a long history of political conflict in the area. **1967: Communists in the British colony of Hong Kong rise in support of the Cultural Revolution sweeping China** When England took control of Hong Kong in 1842 after the first Opium War, British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston is [said to have remarked](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,723932,00.html "undefined") that it was “a barren island with hardly a house upon it” — but by the middle of the 20th century Hong Kong was becoming a prosperous business center. The cultural difference between the Communist mainland and the neighboring region was thrown into stark contrast in 1967. Though the initial protests of that summer seemed to have arisen organically among Hong Kong workers, China supported the movement from afar and issued an ultimatum demanding that arrested protesters be freed; the ultimatum, however, did not involve any question of British control of the area. As TIME [explained](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,843800,00.html "undefined"), the situation between the two nations was one of “mutual dependence”: --- > “” --- That [July](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,941535,00.html "undefined"), when shots from across the Chinese border killed five Hong Kong police officers, the U.K. responded by sending in troops, the first armed confrontation between British and Chinese soldiers in Hong Kong since Communist rule had begun in China nearly two decades before. Though the stand-off between the two powers could have gotten even more intense, by early August things had calmed down. And that bitter history did not keep China and Hong Kong from getting closer in the decade that followed. Rather, they grew to rely on one another, economically at least: TIME [reported](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,723932,00.html "undefined") in 1979 that China sent an annual $2 billion in exports to Hong Kong, while the same amount went back to the mainland in remittances from residents and earnings of Chinese companies located there. Hong Kong businesses relied on Chinese labor, while the Chinese government used Hong Kong as an outlet for its economic dealings with the rest of the world. **1989: Tiananmen Square helps Hong Kong’s independent political identity take shape** Economic interdependence was a major factor in shaping the 1984 decision about what Hong Kong would look after the U.K. handed over control in 1997\. According to the [agreement](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,954403,00.html "undefined"), the preexisting “system of law” and capitalist economy would be preserved even as the region became part of China. The decade-long period of transition, however, was marked by more strife. In 1989, as pro-democracy protests gripped the mainland, a full one-sixth of Hong Kong’s population (by TIME’s [count](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,957879,00.html "undefined")) came out to march in support of that cause. Meanwhile, many in Hong Kong weren’t much happier with the U.K. than they were with China: even as it began to seem that Beijing’s grasp on Hong Kong might be tighter than expected, Westminster also made it harder for residents of the colony to settle in the U.K., a move that left many Hong Kong residents feeling stranded between two cultures. After the Tiananmen Square massacre that summer, the modern Hongkonger identity began to crystallize. [According to TIME’s reporter in Hong Kong at the time](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,957965,00.html "undefined"), Hong Kong residents were both firmly pro-democracy and firmly Chinese: --- > “” --- **2003: Pro-democracy protests return** [In the early ’90s](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,976989,00.html "undefined"), Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten — the last British governor of the region — proposed a plan to further democratize Hong Kong’s government, over Beijing’s objections. So [when the transfer took place in 1997](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,986604,00.html "undefined"), the question of how much democracy would last, and for how long, lurked beneath the smoothness of the hand-over. Less than a decade later, that concern proved well-founded: in 2003, Hong Kong residents took part in what was the biggest pro-democracy protest in the whole country since 1989, sparked by a new antisubversion national security law, which ended up not passing. As TIME [noted](http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,463125,00.html "undefined"), Hong Kong’s Chief Executive had been counted on to “keep Hong Kong in its place,” but it was becoming clear that such a task was easier said than done. **2014:** **“Occupy Central” begins** Read more about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong here, on TIME.com: [Hong Kong’s Protesters are Fighting for Their Economic Future](http://time.com/3444164/hong-kongs-protesters-are-fighting-for-their-economic-future/ "undefined") ### Photographs of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution  Protesters sit behind a government building as the standoff continues Oct. 5, 2014 in Hong Kong. Paula Bronstein—Getty Images  Protesters walk along the protest site on a quiet night as the standoff continues Oct. 5, 2014 in Hong Kong. Paula Bronstein—Getty Images  A pro-democracy protester sleeps on a concrete road divider on a street outside the Hong Kong Government Complex on Oct. 5, 2014 in Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  People try to prevent a man from removing a barricade set up by pro-democracy protesters blocking a main road at Hong Kong's shopping Mongkok district Oct. 4, 2014. Bobby Yip—Reuters  Policemen try to get a man to let go of a fence guarded by pro-democracy demonstrators in an occupied area of Hong Kong on Oct. 3, 2014. Philippe Lopez—AFP/Getty Images  A local resident breaks through police lines and attempts to reach the pro-democracy tent on Oct. 3, 2014 in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  A student protester is injured after being pulled off and hit by residents and pro-Beijing supporters while local police are escorting him out of the protest area in Kowloon's crowded Mong Kok district, Oct. 3, 2014 in Hong Kong. Wong Maye-E—AP  Students and pro-democracy activists leave the protest site as local police hold back local residents and pro-government supporters on Oct. 3, 2014 in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  A man walks past a barricade as protesters continue to block areas outside the government headquarters building in Hong Kong, Oct. 3, 2014. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong, Sept. 3, 2014. James Nachtwey for TIME  Student protesters raise their hands to show their non-violent intentions as they resist during change of shift for local police but backed down after being reassured they could reoccupy the pavement outside the government compoundís gate, Oct. 2, 2014 in Hong Kong. Wong Maye-E—AP  Police stand guard outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on Oct. 2, 2014, as pro-democracy protesters remain gathered for the fifth day in a push for free elections of the city's leader. Philippe Lopez—AFP/Getty Images  A taxi driver gives a thumbs up to pro-democracy protesters as he drives past the protest site in front of Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's office, early on Oct. 3, 2014 in Hong Kong. Wong Maye-E—AP  Protesters sleep on the road outside the Police Headquarters building on Oct. 2, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  Students from various universities continue their protest in the streets of Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2014. Nicole Tung for TIME  A protester holding an umbrella stands on the street close to the Hong Kong Government Complex on Oct. 1, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  Joshua Wong, leader of the student movement, delivers a speech as protesters block the main street to the financial Central district, outside the government headquarters building in Hong Kong Oct. 1, 2014. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Protesters react as Joshua Wong, leader of the student movement, speaks to the crowd outside the government headquarters building in Hong Kong Oct. 1, 2014. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators, some waving lights from mobile phones, fill the streets in the main finical district of Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2014. Wally Santana—AP  A protester sleeps on the streets outside the Hong Kong Government Complex at sunrise on Sept. 30, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Paula Bronstein—Getty Images  Pro-democracy demonstrators rest during a protest in Hong Kong on Sept. 30, 2014. Philippe Lopez—AFP/Getty Images  Protesters relax on the streets outside the Hong Kong Government Complex on Sept. 30, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  A pro-democracy protestor speaks to the crowd in front of the government offices in Hong Kong on Sept. 30, 2014. Anthony Wallace—AFP/Getty Images  A couple wearing protective masks and ponchos walk through Admiralty district as part of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong on Sept. 30, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Protesters sing songs and wave their cell phones in the air after a massive thunderstorm passed over outside the Hong Kong Government Complex on Sept. 30, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  Pro-democracy demonstrators gather for the third night in Hong Kong on Sept. 30, 2014. Philippe Lopez—AFP/Getty Images  A businessman stands in front of a road block set up by protesters at the main street of the financial Central district in Hong Kong Sept. 29, 2014. Tyrone Siu—Reuters  A protester raises his arms as police officers try to disperse the crowd near the government headquarters in Hong Kong, Sept. 29, 2014. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Umbrellas used to shield demonstrators from pepper spray and the sun are displayed during a pro-democracy protest near the Hong Kong government headquarters on Sept. 29, 2014. Dale De La Rey—AFP/Getty Images  Residents on scooters bring supplies to protesters camped outside the headquarters of Legislative Council during protests in Hong Kong on Sept. 29, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Police walk down a stairwell as pro-democracy demonstrators gather for a rally outside the Hong Kong government headquarters on Sept. 29, 2014. Dale de la Rey—AFP/Getty Images  Protesters gather in the streets outside the Hong Kong Government Complex on Sept. 29, 2014 in Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images  Pro-democracy demonstrators hold up their mobile phones during a protest near the Hong Kong government headquarters on Sept. 29, 2014. Dale De la Rey—AFP/Getty Images  Pro-democracy demonstrators are sprayed with pepper spray during clashes with police officers during a rally near the Hong Kong government headquarters on Sept. 28, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  A pro-democracy demonstrator wearing a mask and goggles to protect against pepper spray and tear gas gestures during a rally near the Hong Kong government headquarters on Sept. 28, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Riot police launch tear gas into the crowd as thousands of protesters surround the government headquarters in Hong Kong, Sept. 28, 2014. Wally Santana—AP  A protester walks in tear gas fired by riot policemen after thousands of protesters blocking the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong, Sept. 28, 2014. Reuters  A pro-democracy protester confronts the police during a demonstration in Hong Kong on Sept. 28, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Pro-democracy protesters demonstrate in Hong Kong on Sept. 28, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Policemen confronts protesters in Hong Kong during a demonstration on Sept. 28, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Riot police fire tear gas on student protesters occupying streets surrounding the government headquarters in Hong Kong, early on Sept. 29, 2014. Wally Santana—AP  A pro-democracy demonstrator pours water over a man's face after police fired tear gas at protesters during a rally near the Hong Kong government headquarters on Sept. 28, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images  Pro-democracy protesters put their hands up in the air in front of the police in Hong Kong on Sept. 28, 2014 Alex Ogle—AFP/Getty Images  Some of the protesters sleep as they block the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters, in Hong Kong, Sept, 29, 2014. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Policemen rest following pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, early on Sept. 29, 2014. Xaume Olleros—AFP/Getty Images **_Read TIME’s 1989 cover story about the Tiananmen Square massacre, free of charge, here in TIME’s archives:_** [Despair and Death In a Beijing Square](http://time.com/2822358/tiananmen-square-25th-anniversary/ "undefined") **Correction:** The original version of this story misstated the year in which England took control of Hong Kong. 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