New Territories 新界 is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, the other two being Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Although the New Territories (often abbreviated as NT) is usually regarded as the area between Kowloon and mainland China, in fact it includes all the outlying islands in Hong Kong, including Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau. New Territories cover 952 sq km (368 sq mi) and has a population of 3.6 million people. It comprises 86% of the entire Hong Kong.
The area known as New Kowloon is part of the New Territories. However as it becomes urbanized, it is absorbed into Kowloon, and in modern context, usually regarded as such. Nevertheless, statutorily it is still part of New Territories. Without counting New Kowloon, the New Territories proper cover the area north of the Kowloon Ranges and south of the Sham Chun River.
New Territories came about when the Qing government of China leased it to the United Kingdom in 1898, for a period of 99 years, under the Second Convention of Penang. When the lease expired in 1997, sovereignty over the New Territories was returned to People's Republic of China.
Although Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula were formally ceded in perpetuity to the United Kingdom (Hong Kong Island under the Treaty of Nanking of 1842, Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutter's Island under the Convention of Peking of 1860), both were also returned to China in 1997. This was partly due to pressure from the Chinese Government that the two regions should be returned, as the historical treaties were one-sided in favour of Britain.
Eventually both sides agreed to a special arrangement where Hong Kong (as a whole) be treated as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, that a "one country, two systems" policy be adopted and that Hong Kong will continue to enjoy a capitalist system for the next 50 years until 2047.
Shing Mun Tunnel and Flyover, Sha Tin District, New Territories
You can take the East Rail, West Rail and Light Rail to reach various places in the New Territories. The East Rail passes through Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po and Sha Tin on its way to Shenzhen in China. The West Rail covers Tsuen Wan, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai or Tuen Mun. The Light Rail covers Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai or Tuen Mun in the New Territories.
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