Timeline of Declaration

Hong Kong has a rich and complex history which reflects its unique position as a former British colony and current Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. To preserve the city’s cultural heritage throughout decades, the Antiques and Monuments Office (AMO) has declared a range of monuments as markers of Hong Kong’s identity and history. Based on the timeline of historical events from 1842 to the present as well as the years in which these monuments were declared, the frequency along with some influential factors will be analysed, particularly around the handover of 1997. However, since AMO was established in 1976, a portion of the declared data on heritage sites may have been omitted. 

• 1842-1941: The Colonial Era

1842 marked the start of the British colony in Hong Kong after the First Opium War. During this period, few monuments were declared because of the establishment of a modern, Western-style city under British rule for economic development. 

• 1941-1977: The Japanese Occupation and Post-War Reconstruction

In 1941, Hong Kong was occupied by Japan during World War II. The period from 1941 to 1977 was marked by the Japanese occupation, followed by post-war reconstruction and the establishment of a new, post-colonial identity. During this time, as a result of social unrest, such as the influx of refugees into Hong Kong in 1949, there were relatively few monument declarations, as the focus was on rebuilding the city and establishing a new sense of national identity. After nearly a decade of striving, Hong Kong's economy expanded rapidly between the 1950s and 1960s, thanks to the Government's aggressive industrial planning (Schenk, 2008). Later in 1976, the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance came into force to ensure that the best monuments in Hong Kong would be properly preserved. In this context, the AMO was established in the same year. 

• 1978-1997: The Handover Era

Due to the establishment of AMO, many there were many monument declarations in this era, with a total number of 67 monuments recorded, which reflects people’s increasing interest in preserving and promoting Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity. For example, Island House, the residence of the first British police magistrate, was declared a monument in 1983, which mirrors the importance of British colonial history to Hong Kong. Similarly, as the oldest remaining Western-style building in Hong Kong, Flagstaff House was declared in 1989, and today, it has been put into use as the Museum of Tea Ware. 

• The Handover of 1997

The handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 was a significant event in the city's history and had a profound impact on monument declarations. In the years leading up to the handover, there was a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about the city's future, which was reflected in the relatively low frequency of monument declarations during this time. However, after the handover, there was a growing sense of pride and identity among Hong Kong residents, which was reflected in the increased frequency of monument declarations.

• 1998-2022: The post-Handover Era

The period from 1998 to 2022 was marked by the establishment of a new, post-handover identity, and a renewed focus on preserving and promoting Hong Kong's unique cultural heritage under Chinese rule. During this time, there were 101 monuments declared under Chinese rule, reflecting the growing interest in promoting Hong Kong's cultural identity and history. For example, in 2021, the Old Tai Po Police Station was declared a monument, reflecting the importance of law and order in Hong Kong's history. Similarly, in 2011, King’s College was declared a monument, reflecting the importance of education in Hong Kong's development. 

According to Newell (2014), cultural politics refers to the ways in which cultures that interrelate with politics - including people's attitudes, beliefs, opinions, etc - shape social and political perspectives and produce social, economic and legal realities. As the politics of culture is based on dynamic and contested processes and is influenced by different factors, including power, identity, and so forth, the construction and dissemination of cultural practices and their meanings is an important issue. In the context of Hong Kong, as a cultural city with a fusion of Western and Chinese elements, cultural politics has influenced the declaration of Hong Kong's heritage sites. For example, after the handover, a strong sense of nationalism and cultural identity led to the archiving of more monuments, including the Man Mo Temple Compound and Hau Wong Temple (Kowloon City). 

Besides, public sentiments refer to the collective attitudes and emotions of a group of people toward a particular issue, and these sentiments can be influenced by social, economic, and political factors as well as personal values and beliefs such as the rise of youth activism, the impact of globalization and the rapid development of Hong Kong. For example, AMO declared The Cenotaph a monument in 2013. This declaration reflects Hong Kong people’s focus on autonomy and democracy, through which it can be told that Hong Kong civilians concern over the erosion of civil liberties and political freedoms in Hong Kong. 

Overall, the frequency of monument declarations in Hong Kong has been shaped by a variety of factors, including political and economic changes, evolving cultural politics, and public sentiments. The timeline of historical events from 1842 to the present provides a context for understanding the frequency of monument declarations over time, and how they reflect the city's evolving identity and history. The handover of 1997 was a significant event in the city's history and had a profound impact on monument declarations, reflecting the growing interest in preserving and promoting Hong Kong's unique cultural identity and history under Chinese rule.