2000s in Hong Kong began a new millennium under the People's Republic of China (PRC). The attitude of the citizens can be summarized as pessimistic at the turn of the century due to the handover, and gradually improving over time. Chinese people in Hong Kong have adopted many western folkways, but a substantial number of them still adhere to traditional Chinese traditions on various aspects of social living; for instance family solidarity, “courtesy and face” in interpersonal relationship. ... Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by the Peoples Republic of China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... The transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom (UK) to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), often referred to as The Handover, occurred on June 30, 1997. ...

Background

Hong Kong Island, 2000

After the transfer of sovereignty, Hong Kong faced a series of problems, both political and economical. The government carried out a series of reforms to adopt a more modern ideology and democracy, but faced many difficulties. Despite a transfer of power to China, the citizens participate in how their government is run, and the region maintains some degree of autonomy. Media in Hong Kong has not come under state control, though many citizens believe the media practices self-censorship. The economy would also began the period with a rise in unemployment rate from 2.2% in 1997 to 4.4% in 2000, and 7.9% in 2003. The night view of the Island side as seen from the Kowloon side - the opposite side of the Victoria Harbour Hong Kong Island (Traditional Chinese: 香港島; Simplified Chinese: 香港岛; Cantonese Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 dou2; Mandarin Pinyin: Xiānggǎngdǎo) is the island where the colonial settlement of the Hong Kong territory... The transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom (UK) to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), often referred to as The Handover, occurred on June 30, 1997. ... An ideology is an organized collection of ideas. ... Look up autonomy, autonomous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Self-censorship is the act of censoring and/or classifying ones own book(s), film(s), or other kind of art to avoid offending others without an authority pressuring them to do so. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Politics

Article 23

In 2003 the government proposed an anti-subversion law titled Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. Many people feared that the proposal would erode freedom of press, religion and association. The unpopularity of Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa and his administration, combined with the dissatisfaction about economy recession and the pandemic control, prompted an estimated 1,000,000 people to march on July 1, 2003, making it the largest since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. The proposal fell after the several pro-government lawmakers withdrew their support to pass the bill. The resignation of Liberal Party chief James Tien from the Executive Council on July 6, 2003 caused the eventual withdrawal of the legislation and the break-up of the "ruling alliance" of the Chief Executive. The security secretary, Regina Ip who was heavily criticised for her arrogant and condescending handling of the proposed law was forced to resign. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 is the basis (parent statute) of a security law proposed by the Hong Kong Government. ... Tung Chee-hwa (Traditional Chinese: 董建華 Simplified Chinese: 董建华 Pinyin: Dǒng Jiànhuá) (born July 7, 1937, or the 29th day of the fifth month in the Chinese calendar) is the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People... July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Unknown Rebel - This famous photo was taken on 5 June 1989 by photographer Jeff Widener, depicts a lone protester whose tried to stop four advancing tanks until he was pulled into the crowd by a few other onlookers. ... Liberal Party (自由黨) is a liberal conservative political party in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China. ... James Tien The Honourable James Tien Pei Chun GBS JP (田北俊) (born January 8, 1947) is currently the Chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), a pro-business and pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong, and a Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo). ... The Executive Council (ExCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China is an organ in the Executive branch of the political structure of Hong Kong. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee (葉劉淑儀) is a formerly prominent government official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). ...

Chief Executive

Main article: Politics of Hong Kong

Many calls were made for the resignation of Tung Chee-hwa, a leader who was blessed by the Communist Party of China, Jiang Zemin. Tung remained in the office until March 10, 2005, 20 months after the march against Article 23. The shuffle is widely associated with the change of leadership within the China Communist Party, where Hu Jin Tao assumed the Chairmanship of the Central Military Commission of People's Republic of China, becoming the supreme commander of the Cenral Military Commission in September, 2004. Hong Kong's Basic Law permitted Tung to serve another 3 years, many suspected Beijing forced him to resign due to widespread public disapproval and his perceived lacklustre leadership. His position was filled after a by-election with only one qualified candidate, Donald Tsang. Who was the No. 2 ranking official, Chief Secretary and career civil servant during British colonial rule. Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by the Peoples Republic of China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... Tung Chee-hwa (Traditional Chinese: 董建華 Simplified Chinese: 董建华 Pinyin: Dǒng Jiànhuá) (born July 7, 1937, or the 29th day of the fifth month in the Chinese calendar) is the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People... The Communist Party of China (CPC) (official name, though almost universally known in English as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)) (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng) is the ruling political party of the Peoples Republic of China, a position guaranteed by the countrys... Jiāng Zémín (Traditional Chinese: 江澤民, Simplified Chinese: 江泽民, Hanyu Pinyin: Jiāng Zémín, Wade-Giles: Chiang Tse-min, Cantonese (Jyutping): gong1 zaak6 man4) (born August 17, 1926) was the core of the third generation of Communist Party of China leaders, serving as General Secretary of the Communist... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hú Jǐntāo (born December 21, 1942) became General Secretary of the Communist Party of China on November 15, 2002. ... The Central Military Commission (Chinese: 中央军事委员会 pinyin: Zhōngyāng JÅ«nshì WÄ›iyuánhuì ) refers to one of two bodies within the Peoples Republic of China. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Beijing [English Pronunciation] (Chinese: 北京 [Chinese Pronunciation]; Pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; IPA: ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... Donald Tsang Yam Kuen, GBM, KBE, JP, (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: , born October 7, 1944) has been the Chief Executive of Hong Kong since 2005. ...

One of the notable impacts from Tung Chee-Hwa's government, however, is that it raised the concern on Hong Kong's political reform and petition for universal suffrage to avoid an unpopular leader taking the office. The territory's political reform is still a focus, but economic bounce-back and new leadership have apparently eased criticism of the government. Tung Chee-hwa (Traditional Chinese: 董建華 Simplified Chinese: 董建华 Pinyin: Dǒng Jiànhuá) (born July 7, 1937, or the 29th day of the fifth month in the Chinese calendar) is the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People...

Demographics

Population

In 2000 the population of Hong Kong was 6,900,000^[1]. The population in the summer of 2006 was 6,994,500, though the majority of population increase is mostly contributed via immigration from mainland citizens. Also in 2006 the birth rate of 7.29 is ranked lowest among the list of countries surveyed by the CIA^[2]. This article is about the year 2000. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The highlighted area in the map is what is commonly known as mainland China. Mainland China (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: is a geopolitical term which is usually synonymous with the area currently administered by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC); however, it excludes the two special administrative regions... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ...

Culture

Entertainment

Anita Mui in her final concert

The passing of idol legends like Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung rocked the cantopop industry. Their timely death in the early 2000s further sank the people's morale. Many associated the event as another symbolic means to describe the end of the British-ruling era. Anita Mui Yim-fong (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Cantonese Yale: muìh yihm fòng; October 10, 1963–December 30, 2003) was a popular Hong Kong pop singer and actress. ... Anita Mui Yim-fong (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Cantonese Yale: muìh yihm fòng; October 10, 1963–December 30, 2003) was a popular Hong Kong pop singer and actress. ... Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing (September 12, 1956 – April 1, 2003) (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Cantonese IPA: , Jyutping: zoeng1 gwok3 wing4; Mandarin Pinyin: Zhāng Guóróng, Wade-Giles: Chang Kuo-jung; nickname Gor-gor (哥哥, Elder Brother in Cantonese) was an actor and a musician from Hong Kong. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...

Disney World

On September 12, 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland finally opened to the public on Lantau Island with jubilant fanfare after six years of planning and construction. Many believed the park would attract increased tourism dollars to Hong Kong and cement the city's status as a world class metropolis. However, many criticised the government's decision to subsidize part of the $3.5 billion construction price tag. The park also experienced lower-than-expected attendance, along with poor park management. September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Buzz Lightyear is signing his name on an autograph The fountain featuring Mickey Mouse in the Park Promenade next to Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland (Traditional Chinese: 香港迪士尼樂園; Cantonese Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 dik6 si6 nei4 lok6 jyun4; Mandarin Pinyin: Xiānggǎng Díshìní Lèyuán) is the... Map of Lantau Island, Hong Kong Lantau Island (based on the local old name of Lantau Peak 爛頭 Làntóu, Ragged Head; 大嶼山/大屿山 pinyin: Dàyǔ shān, Cantonese: Tai yue shan, Big Island Mountain), also Lantao, is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl...

Economy

Spread of SARS

Download high resolution version (800x921, 167 KB)Spread of SARS from the Metropole Hotel in Hong Kong as of March 28, 2003. ... Download high resolution version (800x921, 167 KB)Spread of SARS from the Metropole Hotel in Hong Kong as of March 28, 2003. ...

Health

Bird Flu Pandemics

Health officials made the Bird Flu crisis a top priority beginning in 1997. To control the spread of the virus, millions of chicken were slaughtered in an extreme measure to prevent the global spread of the H5N1 virus. The crisis would lead to a series of panic that continue well into the 2000s. The volume consumption of poultry was significantly reduced for a period. Beginning in 1997, over 1 million birds were slaughtered, followed by 860,000 in 2002. Another batch of 300,000 and 200,000 chickens in 5 farms in Kam Tin New Territories were also included in the quarantine process^[3]. China have also had series of outbreaks, and the pandemic have left both regions strained in trade relationships^[4]. Controversies of the handling of the crisis has been criticized by radio programs, TVs and newspapers. Both Hong Kong and China were the center of international attention during the early 2000s. Specifically the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau were constantly bombarded with questions about the effectiveness in the decision to slaughter in large numbers. Wild dogs, rats and cats preying on bags of uncollected dead poultry also made the whole procedure a public relations disaster for the government^[5]. Avian influenza (also known as bird flu) is a type of influenza virulent in birds. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The global spread of H5N1 in birds is considered a significant pandemic threat. ... Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as A(H5N1) or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the Influenza A virus that can cause illness in humans and many other animal species. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Kam Tin (Traditional Chinese: 錦田), or Kam Tin Heung (錦田鄉), is an area in the New Territories, Hong Kong. ... A major road, Kwong Fuk Road in Tai Po, a town in the New Territories. ... The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau of Hong Kong oversees the policies on health, welfare, environmental hygiene and food issues. ...

SARS outbreak and article 23

Amid the economic recession, the first suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was recorded in February, 2003. Hong Kong remained on the World Health Organization's list of affected areas until June 23, 2003. The city was gripped by fear of contagion and panic through out the epidemic. Children stayed home, while schools were halted. Economic activities were greatly disrupted. Restaurants were empty, and tourism grounded to a halt. The epidemic infected more than 17,000 people and claimed 299 lives^[6]. Severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS is a respiratory disease in humans which is caused by the SARS coronavirus. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Finance

The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis caused a deflationary period that spanned 6 years into July 2004^[7]. 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Asian financial crisis was a financial crisis that started in July 1997 in Thailand and affected currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices in several Asian countries, many considered East Asian Tigers. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Military

For the first time in Hong Kong's history, on July 1, 2006 the People's Liberation Army marched through the city. The display was one of power and symbolism staged by 19 pro-Beijing groups. The march was part of a celebration demonstration that began in Victoria Park^[8]. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Several places are named Victoria Park, most of which are named for Queen Victoria: In Australia: Victoria Park, Adelaide, South Australia Victoria Park, Western Australia Victoria Park, New South Wales Victoria Park Nature Reserve, New South Wales Victoria Park railway station, Melbourne, Victoria. ...

See also

• Current events in Hong Kong

This page deals with current events in Hong Kong. ...

External links

References