When (Exactly) Did Hong Kong Become a British Colony?

When studying the early years of Hong Kong as a British colony, it can be easy to get confused about the exact date the territory officially became a British colony. In fact, important events took place over three successive years that marked the birth of the British (Crown) colony of Hong Kong.

During the First Opium War, British plenipotentiary Charles Elliott and Chinese Imperial Commissioner Qishan drafted the Convention of Chuenpi on January 20, 1841. Six days later, Commodore Bremer took formal possession of Hong Kong Island.

Following the British victory in the First Opium War, British plenipotentiary Sir Henry Pottinger and Chinese representatives Keying, Yilibu, and Liu Jan signed the Treaty of Nanking on August 29, 1842, in which the Qing Dynasty officially ceded Hong Kong Island to the British Empire in perpetuity. The treaty was later ratified by the Daoguang Emperor and Queen Victoria.

However, the cession of Hong Kong Island to Great Britain became effective only when these ratifications were exchanged. This exchange took place in Hong Kong on June 26, 1843. On that day, Sir Henry Pottinger, who had served as colonial administrator until then, became the first Governor of Hong Kong, and the territory officially became a Crown Colony of Great Britain.