Fourth Grade
Worksheets
Special Administration Region Day in Hong Kong
Special Administration Region Day in Hong Kong
Reading Comprehension for July 1
Think about the city or town where you live. What makes it unique? Does it have places unlike other towns or cities? What about the people? Are they very different from people in other cities or towns? No matter where you live, there are similarities and differences with other places. Now imagine your city or town being separated from the rest of your country. Your town will be ruled by another country. Does it sound strange? This actually happened in China.
Hong Kong is a region in southern China. Today, it enjoys special status. Its full name is the Special Administration Region of Hong Kong. It is a collection of provinces and the city of Hong Kong. More than 6 million people live in Hong Kong. It is ruled separately from China. It has its own laws and system of government. Although Hong Kong and China have a common history, the two have very different governments. How did it get that way? Very simply: The British did it.
In the 16th century, explorers from Europe began arriving in Asia. Trade was important, especially between the Chinese and British. Trading wasn't always smooth between the British and Chinese. The British felt like they were getting stiffed on trade, so they forced China into a treaty that gave Hong Kong to the British. This happened in 1842.
