23-1 By Sodipop#3 1788 BCE Australia becomes a convict colony 1768 BCE Britain's Captain James Cook explores Pacific region 200 Silk Road links East Asia and the West 206 Qin dynasty 500 Confucius is born 550 Japan adopts Chinese culture Jan 1, 1150 Height of Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia Dec 24, 1300 Chinese drove out Mongol invaders Dec 24, 1368 Ming dynasty Dec 24, 1840 Hong Kong was controlled by the United Kingdoms Dec 24, 1840 British and Maori sign Treaty of Waitangi Dec 24, 1893 New Zealand Dec 24, 1952 USA maintained military base Jan 1, 1970 Japan emerges as world economic power Dec 24, 1997 Hong Kong was not controlled anymore.