Hong Kong - Getting Acquainted

[Map of Hong Kong]

Hong Kong is located on the coast of South China near the Tropic of Cancer. It consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and many smaller islands, for a total area of only 1,078 square kilometers. Hong Kong is a free port and the most important gateway to China. The Chinese name Hong Kong could be translated "fragrant port" or "joss-stick harbor."

Kowloon means "nine dragons." The name is thought to have originated when the last Sung Dynasty emperor passed through the area as he fled from the Mongols. He counted eight peaks on the peninsula and remarked that there therefore must be eight dragons. Then he added himself, making it nine. This illustrates how the emperor of China was considered a dragon and a god.

Over the millennia of Chinese history, Hong Kong has been relatively insignificant. Nevertheless, a few historical incidents may provide useful insights for those who pray. From 1662 to 1669, as part of a strategy to starve off coastal pirates and rebels, the Ching monarchy forced mass relocation of all the coastal inhabitants to fifty miles inland. Of these uprooted people, 70-80% died, and those who survived were traumatized.

After two humiliating defeats in the Opium Wars, in 1842 China was forced to open to foreign trade, including opium, and to cede Hong Kong Island and the tip of Kowloon to Britain. At that time it was home to only a few thousand villagers and fishermen. Britain's Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, complained that Hong Kong was "a barren island with hardly a house upon it." In 1898, declaring that it needed a security buffer, Britain leased the New Territories for 99 years. The lease expires on July 1, 1997.

Britain developed Hong Kong as a free port and trading base. Lord Palmerston would hardly recognize Hong Kong today. His "barren island" is now crammed with skyscrapers, making it one of the most densely populated places on earth, reaching 26,180 persons per square kilometers in some areas.

The government, eager to stimulate big investments and boost its cash reserves, has embarked on enormous reclamation projects. Whole mountains are thrown into the sea truckload by truckload, shrinking Hong Kong's famous Victoria Harbour and creating prime waterfront business property which is then auctioned to the highest bidder. Hong Kong's new Chep Lap Kok airport is presently the largest reclamation and construction project in the world.

In 1984 China and Britain drew up an agreement to return Hong Kong to China in 1997. Hong Kong people waited quietly to learn the terms of their future. While outlining a general agreement, the document left many practical questions unanswered. Joint negotiations between China and Britain failed to produce agreements on many major issues. These matters are now being decided by China.

[Back to Please Pray for Hong Kong]

2. May the Hong Kong church lead in reconciliation, healing and forgiveness over historical offenses.
[2 Corinthians 5:14-21]

3. Thanks to the Lord for Hong Kong's past, present and future governments. May Hong Kong's government administer justice, righteousness and peace.
[1 Timothy 2:1-6]
[Psalm 96:10]
[Isaiah 9:6-7]

Thank you for praying for Hong Kong.

Quick Scripture Reference

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 17:29-31
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead..

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Timothy 2:1-6
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time..

Psalm 96:10
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

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