Question: when did the british take over hong kong

title: British Hong Kong
text: In 1841 , Elliot negotiated with Lin 's successor , Qishan , in the Convention of Chuenpi during the First Opium War . On 20 January , Elliot announced `` the conclusion of preliminary arrangements '' , which included the cession of Hong Kong Island and its harbour to the British Crown . Elliot chose Hong Kong instead of Chusan because he believed a settlement further east would cause an `` indefinite protraction of hostilities '' , whereas Hong Kong 's harbour was a valuable base for the British trading community in Canton . On 26 January , the Union Jack was raised on Hong Kong and Commodore James Bremer , commander - in - chief of British forces in China , took formal possession of the island at Possession Point . On 29 August 1842 , the cession was formally ratified in the Treaty of Nanking , which ceded Hong Kong `` in perpetuity '' to Britain . 

Answer: answer: On 26 January1841, the Union Jack was raised on Hong Kong and the commander-in-chief of British forces in China, took formal possession of the island. On 29 August 1842, the cession was formally ratified in the Treaty of Nanking.
answer: On January 26, 1841, the commander-in-chief of British forces in China took formal possession of the island at Possession Point and on August 29, 1842 , the cession was formally ratified in the Treaty of Nanking , which ceded Hong Kong in perpetuity to Britain.