Hong Kong will celebrate the 20 year anniversary of its reunification with China following British rule this weekend.
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These 15 photos show Hong Kong's journey from British rule to today
These historic images show 20 years of Hong Kong's fraught – and incredibly politicized — relationship with Mainland China.
The Chinese flag is raised by People's Liberation Army soldiers to signal Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty after 156 years of British rule, in Hong Kong, July 1, 1997.
The city has a seperate political and economic system under the "one country, two systems" constitutional principle, which has at times lead to pro-democracy protests during clashes with Beijing.
The handover of Hong Kong from British rule to Beijing began officially with the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 by Premier Zhao Ziyang of the People's Republic of China and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom.
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In 1989, the Tiananmen Square protest crackdown sent shockwaves throughout the country. The annual candlelight vigil held in Hong Kong to mark its date is symbolic of the rift that remains between the island city and Beijing.
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As the late 1990s brought increased instability, thousands of Hong Kong natives left their homeland for countries such as the UK, Canada and the US.
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Before the British handover to China, pro-democracy protests were roiling the streets of Hong Kong. Many did not like to be controlled by either London or Beijing and fought for independence for their nation.
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On July 1, 1997, Britain handed Hong Kong rule over to China. The move ended 156 years of Colonial rule over the Asian island.
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Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army entered Hong Kong at dawn on the first day of Beijing rule.
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In December 1997, shipping magnate Tung Chee-hwa became the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong after winning 80% of the votes of the Selection Committee, an electoral college group of 400 members, and won unopposed in his 2002 re-election bid.
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Six years after the Chinese handover, hundreds of thousands of people protested for increased democracy.
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In March 2005, following years of the Hong Kong people's discontent over the handling of the SARS virus outbreak and Tung Chee-hwa's pro-Beijing stance, Tung resigned. He was replaced by his Chief Secretary Donald Tsang, who would go on to serve as Chief Executive until 2012.
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In 2011, thousands of students took to the streets of Hong Kong in what became known as the Umbrella Revolution. In protests that lasted almost three months, many residents protested China's decision to vet candidates in the 2017 Hong Kong election.
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Over the last 20 years, the people of Hong Kong have routinely took to the streets to protest Beijing's interference in the affairs of the island.
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July 1, 2012, the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to Chinese sovereignty, Leung Chun-ying took the oath of office in front of Chinese President Hu Jintao, becoming Hong Kong's third Chief Executive.
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This weekend, Hong Kong prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chinese rule. The date symbolizes freedom for some and tight governmental control for others.
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The lead up to the 20th anniversary celebrations has seen a number of protest events, including in Golden Bauhinia Square where protesters staged a sit-in.
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Chinese President Xi Jingping recently arrived in Hong Kong and plans to attend the celebrations which will include fireworks, a gala variety show, and military displays.
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