Despite the sudden change in government structure, Britain promised Hong
Kong a bright future economically. Under the British administration, it
provided “stability, security, and predictability of British law and government”
which facilitated Hong Kong to prosper as an international trade market (Tsang
57). As British policymakers started residing in Hong Kong, it attracted major foreign
firms engaged in trading with China, e.g. Jardine Matheson and Peninsular and
Oriental to establish their regional headquarters considering its location
advantage. Britain helped build a strong connection with trade partners from
Europe, the United States, and East Asia to enhance the international trading
network (Tsang 57).