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Hong Kong's establishment and development have always been related to trade. Europeans tried to establish trade links with China from the 16th century. Before the 1830s Britain attempted no less than three time to establish full diplomatic relations with China to facilitate trade, but to no avail. Even though trading activities were very restricted, trade still flourished. The main items imported into China were cotton, woolen goods, watches and clocks and opium. Exported from China were tea, raw silk, laquerware and porcelain. Opium trading was illegal, but due to the enormous profit, the trade grew throughout the eighteenth and into the nineteenth centuries. Virtually all foreign traders were engaged in opium trading. Besides the British, there were Americans, Parsees, Jews, Indians, Germans, Portuguese, French Dutch, Swiss, Italians, Danish, Filipinos and Japanese.
In 1839 Britain and China went to war over opium. China was determined to stop opium trading because opium was destroying the bodies and morale of her people. Britain wanted a trading relationship under Western rules and to secure a safe, permanent trading post under her own flag. China was defeated in what was later known as the First Opium War and Hong Kong Island and tip of Kowloon were ceded to Britain in 1842. Hong Kong quickly grew to become the center of opium trading. In the 1850s the Second Opium War erupted. China lost again and Britain extended its territory in Hong Kong. China trade continued to grow, but it was not until 1917 that opium trade was completely eliminated.
From its earliest days Hong Kong's free-port status encouraged trade and commerce. Some light industry has flourished, but Hong Kong remains essentially an entrepôt. Hong Kong now has a well-developed banking industry, liberal trade regulations and an ample supply of manpower. But given its size, its total dependence on outside markets and its lack of natural resources, Hong Kong has always had to rely on a laissez-faire approach to economic control and a high profit, low income tax economy for its prosperity.
Hong Kong is the world's busiest container port. It has the 7th largest foreign reserves (US$62 billion) among the countries of the world, and was recently ranked as the world's tenth largest trading economy. But behind the facade of prosperity and success, most Hong Kong people still do not have adequate old-age pensions, unemployment benefits or health insurance. While many of Hong Kong's rich are among Fortune magazine's list of the world's richest men, the gap between the very rich and the very poor continues to widen.
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1. May God's people escape the trap of finding security in money, material possessions, talents, gifts and any thing other than in God himself.
[1 Timothy 6:6-11]
2. May the people of Hong Kong, beginning with the God's people, be convicted and repent of their lust and greed. May they separate themselves from all the excesses associated with the "Babylonians" in the Bible.
[Isaiah 48:20]
[Revelation 18:4]
3. May the church and its people bear fruit in keeping with repentance and live in the fullness of God's love.
[Matthew 3:8]
[1 John 4:16-17]
Thank you for praying for Hong Kong.
Quick Scripture Reference 1 Timothy 6:6-11
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Isaiah 48:20
Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Matthew 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance...
1 John 4:16-17
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
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