Chinese President Jiang Zemin shakes hands with Britain's Prince Charles following Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty from British to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin shakes hands with Britain's Prince Charles following Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty from British to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997.
PAUL LAKATOS/AFP/Getty Images
Carrie Lam (center) stands on stage after being selected to be the next Hong Kong Chief Executive on March 26, 2017. In the foreground, a yellow umbrella is unfurled to protest the undemocratic nature of the race Lam won.
Carrie Lam (center) stands on stage after being selected to be the next Hong Kong Chief Executive on March 26, 2017. In the foreground, a yellow umbrella is unfurled to protest the undemocratic nature of the race Lam won.
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A Cathay Pacific Boeing-747 jet flies over residential buildings near Hong Kong's Kai Tak airport, on June 19, 1997.
A Cathay Pacific Boeing-747 jet flies over residential buildings near Hong Kong's Kai Tak airport, on June 19, 1997.
MARK RALSTON/AP
Kai Tak airport, located in the center of the city, was widely regarded as one of the scariest approaches in the world before it was replaced by a new airport in 1998.
Kai Tak airport, located in the center of the city, was widely regarded as one of the scariest approaches in the world before it was replaced by a new airport in 1998.
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
The location of the former airport is still transport focused, playing home to a huge ferry terminal.
The location of the former airport is still transport focused, playing home to a huge ferry terminal.
Justin Chin/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Aerial photo taken on May 17, 2017 shows the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park on the former location of the airport.
Aerial photo taken on May 17, 2017 shows the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park on the former location of the airport.
CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Newscom
The skyline of Hong Kong island, next to Victoria Harbor, seen on September 7, 1996.
The skyline of Hong Kong island, next to Victoria Harbor, seen on September 7, 1996.
ANAT GIVON/AP
The same view from February 17, 2017 shows how the skyline has grown and expanded.
The same view from February 17, 2017 shows how the skyline has grown and expanded.
Sipa Asia/Sipa USA
A photo take on June 21, 1997 shows the Chinese city of Shenzhen across the border from Hong Kong.
A photo take on June 21, 1997 shows the Chinese city of Shenzhen across the border from Hong Kong.
MANUEL CENETA/AFP/Getty Images
This February 13, 2017 photo shows how much Shenzhen has grown since, becoming a sprawling metropolis of 12 million.
This February 13, 2017 photo shows how much Shenzhen has grown since, becoming a sprawling metropolis of 12 million.
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
A cluster of signs in the densely populated Kowloon region of Hong Kong, seen in 1997.
A cluster of signs in the densely populated Kowloon region of Hong Kong, seen in 1997.
MARY LOU NOLAN/KRT/Newscom
While many things have changed in the city, density and colorful signage have remained constant, as this March 14, 2017 photo shows.
While many things have changed in the city, density and colorful signage have remained constant, as this March 14, 2017 photo shows.
Bob Lendrum/ZUMA Wire