ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

999-year leases in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, there is a special kind of lease called a 999-year lease. A lease is like when you borrow something, but for land instead of a toy. When you borrow a toy, you have to give it back after a certain amount of time. But with a 999-year lease, it's like you get to borrow the land for a really, REALLY long time.

Why is it called a 999-year lease? Well, in the past, people thought that 1,000 years was too long, so they made it 999 years instead. It's just a fancy way to say "a really, really long time."

When someone gets a 999-year lease, it means they can use that land for almost forever. They can build houses, schools, and even shopping centers on it. It's their land to use and take care of.

But even though it's for a very long time, it doesn't mean they can keep the land forever. Eventually, after 999 years, the land will go back to the government. It's like when you have to give back a toy after you finish playing with it.

So why would someone want a 999-year lease if they can't keep the land forever? Well, having a 999-year lease means they can use the land for a really, really long time, which can be very valuable. They can also sell or pass it down to their children or grandchildren, so it remains in the family for many generations.

This kind of lease is important in Hong Kong because it has limited space for people to live and build things. By having long leases like this, it helps make sure that land is used wisely and not wasted. It also helps people plan for the future since they know they can use the land for a very long time.

In conclusion, a 999-year lease is like borrowing land for a really, really long time. It helps people use the land wisely and plan for the future, even though they can't keep it forever.