Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: Moments in Hong Kong & China

CURATED BY THE FÊTE CHINOISE EDITORIAL TEAM
IMAGES REPOSTED FROM INSTAGram, visual china group, South China Morning Post, Sixth tone, hong kong free press, ebay, GEORGE FRESTON and douglas so

W 

e take a moment to remember Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her funeral will take place in London, England on Monday, September 19th, 2022. Despite any difference in views or mixed feelings about history, it is an inseparable fact that many North Americans of Chinese descent, especially those who grew up in colonial Hong Kong, have encountered the presence and spirit of Queen Elizabeth II in their lifetimes.

Image reposted from Vanishing Hong Kong (@vanishing.hongkong)

A brief history: britain & hong kong

Hong Kong was a British colony from 1842 to 1997. In 1839, during the First Opium War, Britain invaded China and one of its first acts was to occupy Hong Kong. In 1841, Qing Government surrendered Hong Kong island to the British. In 1898, Britain was given an additional 99 years of rule over Hong Kong under a special convention. On July 1st, 1997, Hong Kong returned to China, after 155 years of British colonialization. During the time of Britain’s rule, the city of Hong Kong was developed and evolved into the global hub and a world-class city.

Queen Elizabeth II with school children during a tour of China, Oct. 1986 | reposted from sixth tone | photo by Hulton Archive, Visual china group

An outpouring of social media posts and tributes continues around the world, and many fascinating moments of history with the Queen have been shared, especially of her visit to Hong Kong and of interesting bilingual souvenirs and collectors items that honour the Queen. We highlight some posts below that were publicly shared by loyal admirers and collectors, as a moment to remember the incredible person and leader that Queen Elizabeth II was, dutifully serving the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for 7 decades. She was a symbol of stability and a constant in a face-paced and changing world. The photographs you are about to view demonstrate how much world history she lived and led through, and these are only a select few moments through the lens of Chinese diaspora in Canada.

queen elizabeth in mainland china

From October 12 to 18, 1986, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to visit China. It was seen as a critical piece of diplomacy, coming soon after testing negotiations between the United Kingdom and People's Republic of China over the eventual return of Hong Kong in 1997.

Queen Elizabeth II is followed by joyous Chinese children as she tours a children’s centre in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Oct. 18, 1986 | reposted from sixth tones | Photo by Anwar Hussein, Visual China Group

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the Great Wall in Beijing, Oct. 14, 1986 | reposted from sixth tone | photo by Visual China Group

Queen Elizabeth II walks where few other visitors to the famed terracotta warriors archeological site are allowed among the warrior figures themselves in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, Oct. 16, 1986 | reposted from sixth tone | photo by Petter Bregg, Visual China Group

QUEEN ELIZABETH in HONG KONG

The Queen visited Hong Kong on two previous occasions, once in 1975 and the second and last time in 1986.

Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Hong Kong in 1975 | REPOSTED FROM Hong Kong Free Press | Hulton Royals Collection, Hulton Archive

Queen Elizabeth at a hawker stall in Central in 1975 | REPOSTED FROM vanity fair | photo BY GEORGE FRESTON

A historic moment for Hong Kong as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive at Kai Tak Airport, becoming the first reigning British monarch to visit the then colony in May, 1975 | reposted from South China Morning Post (@scmpnews) | photo by South China Morning Post

Queen Elizabeth leaving for Government House in a limousine after a welcoming ceremony at City Hall in 1975 | photo by South China Morning Post

A student at then-Hong Kong Polytechnic explains a model to Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the college's technology and community care displays in 1986 | photo by South China Morning Post

Although the last visit to Hong Kong by Queen Elizabeth II was in 1986, many publications in the city continued to celebrate her on their covers, especially marking her jubilee milestones.

Phoenix Weekly Issue 17 of 2022 | image reposted from kaoshenzazhi

collectors’ items of queen elizabeth II in colonial hong kong

There have been many interesting objects and images of heirlooms shared by mourners and admirers in the recent week. Do you have a special item? If you do, please share with our editorial team for a chance to share it with other readers!

stamps: Hong Kong 1969-71 | image reposted from ebay (#385082051400)

stamps: hong kong 1962 | image reposted from ebay (#125509386760)

stamps: hong kong 1992-1996, 1997 | image reposted from ebay (#19387920687)

stamp: hong kong 1982 | image reposted from ebay (#124473968484)

stamp: hong kong 1953 | image reposted from ebay (#295207257692)

stamp: hong kong 1962 | image reposted from ebay (#303980364616)

stamps: hong kong 1986 for the queen’s 60th Birthday | images reposted from ebay (#115389010757)

stamps: hong kong 1993 for The 40th Anniversary of Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II | image reposted from ebay (#284962351488)

Miniature Book Keyring: hong kong 1970s | images reposted from ebay (#185577085314)

Leica M6 Queen Elizabeth II Edition owned by Douglas So

Christmas Card portraying Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth II, by Baron, 1952 | reposted from Instagram (@93collectible)

Official First Day Cover with 1992 new definitive stamps, 1992 | reposted from Instagram (@93collectible)

Leaflet introducing the coronation ceremony of the Queen Elizabeth II, printed and published in Hong Kong, 1953 | reposted from Instagram (@93collectible)

Princess Elizabeth’s Wedding Day published by Pitkin Publishing, 1947 | reposted from Instagram (@93collectible)

As The Royal Family and the world say their final goodbyes to the Queen, she leaves a very big role to fill. Her steadfastness and devotion to service was not only noteworthy and unplaceable. She was a female leader in a world that favoured male leaders. Truly one of a kind, and called to a special duty of generations, the Queen will always hold a lasting place in the hearts of many. The next three heirs will be kings, but all who were guided by and learned from Queen Elizabeth II.

Featured

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

Bringing the Taste of Home to Canada: The Chatime Story

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

Bringing popular cultural foods and beverages to market in a place as culturally diverse as Canada is an enriching journey for entrepreneurs and consumers. We continue to hone in on bubble tea with another innovator and industry leader that has brought a drink that a majority of our readers are bound to have tried. Drawing on his experience of introducing Chatime to Canada 13 years ago and overseeing its growth ever since, Kenton knows firsthand that the bubble tea market is highly competitive, with new brands constantly emerging. Staying authentic, high-quality, and offering customizable options are key.

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

Pioneering the Love for Bubble Tea in Canada: Ten Ren's Tea

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

In light of what happened with the Dragons’ Den incident of cultural appropriation of boba, we wanted to shine the spotlight on one of the original bubble tea franchises from Taiwan that opened in Toronto and Canada in the mid-1980s, and one that many readers here might remember as the place they gathered with high school friends, had their first date, hosted a business meeting or simply the place that finally served a drink with Asian fruit flavours that were familiar.

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

Effectively Calling Out Cultural Appropriation: Simu Liu on the Dragon’s Den

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

Ahead of the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, an incident erupted on hit television show, Dragons' Den, known for featuring prominent business people who are presented business pitches by entrepreneurs from all over the country. This is the first season that Marvel star Simu Liu stepped up to be a guest Dragon on the show alongside new Dragon Brian Scudamore, founder of 1-800-Got Junk?, joining the experienced tycoons from the den, Arlene Dickinson, Wes Hall, Manjit Minhas and Michele Romanow.

Current Affairs, Community & People, Food and Lifestyle

Ads, Art and Fashion, History & Architecture, Objects of Desire

Art, Antiques & Assets: Preserve Wealth and Heritage by Safeguarding Your Collections 藝術品、古董與資產：藏品保障財富安穩延續

Ads, Art and Fashion, History & Architecture, Objects of Desire

Whether it's an inherited piece of jewellery, a treasured painting, or a newly acquired antique, each collection speaks to an experience, a story, and a connection to our heritage, culture, and personal histories. While insurance is a familiar concept, its importance in safeguarding high-value items and ensuring their legacy can continue, is often overlooked.

Ads, Art and Fashion, History & Architecture, Objects of Desire

Food and Lifestyle

Mott 32 Arrives in Toronto, Bringing a Fusion of Tradition and Innovation to the City’s Culinary Scene

Food and Lifestyle

Toronto’s vibrant Chinese community and the city's inclusive nature make it relatively easy to find exceptional Chinese cuisine, representing diverse regions across China. Joining this rich culinary landscape is Mott 32, a globally renowned brand known for revitalizing traditional Chinese cuisine. Launched within the Shangri-La Toronto, this three-story restaurant honours its Asian heritage while connecting with the city’s multicultural spirit. This marks Mott 32’s second location in Canada, following the successful launch of its Vancouver branch in 2017.

Food and Lifestyle