Professor Explains History of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Pre-2010 | The Great Courses Plus

Life under foreign rule by a massive empire isn’t confined to ancient Egypt or the American colonies—today it’s everyday life for over 30 million people in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Tensions are rising between China and its “lost territories,“ including riots and military occupational exercises. Steel your nerves—Taiwan’s 2,000-year journey for independence may be coming to a head in our lifetimes. This video is episode 44 from the series The Fall and Rise of China, presented by Richard Baum. Learn more about China’s history at 0:00 1997 Return of Hong Kong from British to Chinese 5:24 Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and Basic Law 8:52 Taiwan’s Opposition to Reunification with China 12:41 Democratic Progressive Party Challenges Kuomintang 14:02 Lee Teng-hui Becomes Taiwan’s First Native President 17:07 Teng-hui’s Provocative Pro-Independence Speech 19:19 Chen Shui-bian Ends Kuomintang’s Ruling Streak 20:49