The 24th meeting of The Society of British Culture, on 29th May 1999
Yoshiteru
Supported by C. J. McHugh
■The reason I choose this theme:
I think that Kowloon City's history symbolizes the relationship between the U.K. and China over Hong Kong.
■Q1:What was Kowloon City?
A1:It was highly over built area. It had a population of 33,000, over 300 buildings, and 484 shops in only a 2.7ha area over(almost the same size as Tokyo Dome)
(based on data in 1987)
It was located in Xinjie area(the New Territories),near Kaitak airport; the former Hong Kong international airport.
And it was a notorious area. It was often said, "If you walk into the area, you can nevercome back." Because It was well-known as a breeding place of crime.
■Q2:Why did so many criminals gather in Kowloon City?
A2:Because Kowloon city was not under legal administration. Both the U.K. and China didn't control the area.
Check the following history:
1818 The Qing Dynasty set cannons and soldiers against U.K. army at Kowloon City area.
(1841 The U.K. occupied Hong Kong island area.)
1898 The U.K. held Xinjie area(including Kowloon City) by lease, but they didn't decide how to control Kowloon City.
(1912 The Qing Dynasty fell)
1941 Japan occupied Hong Kong, destroyed Kowloon City and expanded Kaitak airport by pieces of smashed Kowloon City wall.
(1945 Japan surrendered to the Allies.)
1949- The People's Republic of China was established.
Since this year, China insisted that it had the right to rule over Kowloon City, however it didn't control the area actually.
On the other hand, the U.K. didn't control it ,either. Therefore many out-law people gathered in Kowloon City.
■Q3:Was Kowloon City the real breeding place
of crime?
A3:Yes and No.
Of course the Hong Kong Mafia and many others gathered in the area, however ordinary people lived there ,too.
ex.1:Many dentists came from China but they didn't have licenses that were valid in Hong Kong.
ex.2:Many factories made meatballs for most restaurants and hotels in Hong Kong.
ex.3:Some kindergartens and schools educated pupils.
■Q4:What has become of
Kowloon City since then?
A4:In 1993, the Hong Kong government pulled down Kowloon City and built the early Qing period type park.
■referenced books and websites:
・Jan Morris "Hong Kong - Epilogue to an Empire" Kodansha (1995 Japanese
edition)
・Koji Uemura "Hong Kong Rapsody" Iwanami Shoten 1994
・The members of the Kowloon Walled City
Expedition
"Internet Kowloon Walled City" http://www.flex.co.jp/kowloon/