Q 01/05

Hong Kong's name is usually translated as what?

A) Fragrant harbour

B) Golden gate

C) Nine rivers

D) Dragon bay

Answer · why

A) Fragrant harbour

It may refer to the sweet freshwater of the Pearl River or to incense factories that once lined the Kowloon coast.

Q 02/05

Which conflict led the Qing dynasty to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain in 1842?

A) The Taiping Rebellion

B) The First Opium War

C) The Sino-French War

D) The Boxer Rebellion

Answer · why

B) The First Opium War

The Treaty of Nanking formalised the cession; Kowloon followed in 1860 and the New Territories lease in 1898.

Q 03/05

For how many years did Britain lease the New Territories in 1898?

A) 50

B) 199

C) 99

D) 150

Answer · why

C) 99

The approaching expiry of that lease is what forced the handover negotiations of the 1980s.

Q 04/05

On what date was Hong Kong handed over from the United Kingdom to China?

A) 1 October 1997

B) 31 December 1999

C) 1 January 1997

D) 1 July 1997

Answer · why

D) 1 July 1997

The ceremony took place at midnight after 156 years of British rule.

Q 05/05

Which British royal read the farewell speech at the handover ceremony?

A) Prince Andrew

B) Prince Charles

C) Queen Elizabeth II

D) Prince Philip

Answer · why

B) Prince Charles

He was joined by the newly elected prime minister Tony Blair and the last governor, Chris Patten.