How long has Hong Kong been British?

The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the HKSAR honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's life-long and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style The Honourable. (Bauhinia, Bauhinia blakeana, is the floral emblem of Hong Kong.)