G. Kraaijeveld
U.S. arrests Nicolás Maduro
U.S. forces arrest Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, removing him from power through external intervention.
British Occupation of Hong Kong Island
British forces landed on Hong Kong Island and claimed it in the name of the Crown following the First Opium War.
Treaty of Nanking Signed
The Treaty of Nanking ended the First Opium War and ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain, formalizing its colonial status.
Kowloon Peninsula Ceded to Britain
The Convention of Peking ceded the southern part of the Kowloon Peninsula to Britain, extending colonial Hong Kong beyond the island.
British Lease of New Territories
Britain signed a 99-year lease with the Qing Empire, adding the New Territories and islands to colonial Hong Kong.
Kowloon Walled City Preserved
Britain leases the New Territories for 99 years but allows China to retain nominal control of the Kowloon Walled City.
Japanese Invasion of Hong Kong
Japan invades British Hong Kong, launching a bloody battle and three years of occupation.
Return to British Control
British forces retook control of Hong Kong from Japan after Japan’s surrender in World War II.
China Launches the Belt and Road Initiative
In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a long-term strategy to expand infrastructure, trade, and connectivity across Eurasia, Africa, and beyond.
China-United States Trade War (Trump I)
In 2018, trade tensions between China and the United States escalated into a sustained tariff and technology conflict, marking a turning point in bilateral economic relations.
Hong Kong Protests
In 2019, mass protests erupted in Hong Kong in response to proposed extradition legislation, evolving into a broader movement centered on civil liberties, autonomy, and governance.
China’s Zero-COVID Policy
From 2020 to 2022, China implemented a Zero-COVID policy aimed at eliminating domestic transmission through lockdowns, mass testing, travel controls, and centralized quarantine.
China’s 20th Party Congress
In October 2022, China held its 20th Party Congress, confirming leadership continuity and setting policy priorities for the coming years.