2017 marks twenty years since Hong Kong’s reunification with mainland China. The 100 years of separation, with Hong Kong under British rule, has been seen as a time where Hong Kong was lost to China and ruled by a foreign power, with reunification a cause for celebration. For others, ‘finding’ China again has thrown up questions over identity and belonging.

But how did a Chinese city become part of the British Empire? And what was the impact of reunification on people’s every-day lives? Join us at China Exchange for a panel discussion with experts and commentators to reflect on the social, economic and political impact of the last two decades, and discuss what the anniversary means to people in Hong Kong, other parts of China, and elsewhere.

This discussion will demonstrate the impact of humanities research in this area, touching on themes of cultural identity, nationality and nationalism, independence and unity.

Part of the Being Human Festival of the Humanities 2017 , a festival led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London in partnership with the Arts & Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.

Curated in partnership with Dr Zeng Jinghan, Deputy Director of the Centre for Politics in Africa, Asia and the Middle East (AAME) and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London.