<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Handover of Hong Kong (or simply "the Handover"), also known as "the Return" in mainland China, was the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China in a ceremony on 30 June 1997 . The territory of Hong Kong comprised Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which were ceded to Britain in 1842 and 1860, respectively, and the New Territories, which was leased for 99 years in 1898 . The retrocession of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was conducted to coincide with the expiration of the New Territories' lease at midnight on 30 June . The landmark event marked the end of British rule in Hong Kong, and is regarded by some as marking the end of the British Empire . </P> <P> The United Kingdom acquired Hong Kong through three treaties with Qing dynasty China . Hong Kong Island was ceded in the Treaty of Nanking (1842). The Kowloon Peninsula (the area south of Boundary Street) was ceded in the Convention of Peking (1860). The New Territories (the area north of Boundary Street and south of the Sham Chun River, excepting Kowloon Walled City, plus various outlying islands) was leased in the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory (1898). </P>

When did hong kong go back to china