Tomorrow marks the 29th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China – a historical watershed signifying the twilight of the British Empire and a pivotal chapter in China’s national rejuvenation. Originally ceded after the Opium Wars, when steam-powered warships of the First Industrial Revolution forced open China’s doors, Hong Kong was utilized by Britain as a strategic springboard into the Pearl River Delta. This unique positioning transformed a collection of fishing villages into a premier global entrepot, anchoring the city as an international hub on the world stage.