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The way the government and the people of Hong Kong dealt with its future was essentially built on this formula of not rocking the boat. It was not glamorous but it was Hong Kong's strategy for survival.
The most important legacies from the British are all in fact essential for making Hong Kong the tremendously successful place it is, the raison d'etre behind the Chinese policy of 'one country, two systems. Jul 30, Colin Hoad rated it really liked it Shelves: history-books. There has never been a more important time to read this book than now. The ongoing protest situation in Hong Kong, along with the response to it by both the Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese governments, has prompted a dizzying array of opinion pieces, articles and social media debates, much of which is riddled with misinformation about Hong Kong and its history.
What Steve Tsang has produced as an authoritative history that examines the birth of modern Hong Kong from the ashes of the Opium Wars, th There has never been a more important time to read this book than now.
What Steve Tsang has produced as an authoritative history that examines the birth of modern Hong Kong from the ashes of the Opium Wars, the British colonial administration before and after the Second World War, major events that defined the city state and closes with an examination of the antecedents, consequences and legacy of the Handover.
Tsang provides a balanced account that neither seeks to unduly praise nor to overly criticise Britain's role in Hong Kong's history. Instead he presents the facts as they are, and leaves it to the reader to judge. Like so much else about Hong Kong, it is a city of paradoxes, at once Chinese and not-Chinese, Eastern and Western, autonomous and controlled, modern and traditional. Its people and their complex identity are inextricably linked to the city and its history.
Tsang's book explores how this has come to be, and examines not just the linear historical narrative of the city but also the social, legal and political forces that have shaped it. More than anything else, this book is an antidote to the exaggerated claims made on behalf of Hong Kong by those who seek to speak for or, indeed, against it. Armed with Tsang's rigorously researched book, one can take a calm, level-headed approach to the subject matter and quickly dispel the propaganda, historical revisionism and general ignorance wilful or otherwise that never fails to infiltrate any debate about Hong Kong.
Perhaps the biggest eye-opener for me as a reader was the account of Hong Kong's democratisation from the early s onwards. Many commentators have claimed the city was entirely undemocratic, unrepresentative and unresponsive to public sentiments, and that the British did little or nothing to change that situation until it was too late. Having read Tsang's book, it is clear that such a characterisation is woefully short-sighted.
While it is true that until the s, the city was theoretically an autocracy ruled by a colonial governor, the reality was that following the restoration of British rule in , the colonial administration was restricted by convention and became very receptive and open to popular demands, something Tsang calls "the inhibited political centre". While it had absolute power in theory - just as a constitutional monarch does - in practice, the Hong Kong government operated a very light touch style of policy making and gave its people a wide degree of autonomy and freedom, underpinned by the rule of law, an independent judiciary and civil service, and a no holds barred approach to anti-corruption.
By the early 80s, the process of introducing elected members into the Legislative Council was well underway; it would have proceeded much further by had it not been for the combined intransigence of the Chinese Communist Party and the events of Tiananmen Square in By the time of the last governor, Chris Patten, a serious package of reforms was put in place to accelerate the democratisation process - but following the Handover, these reforms were largely overturned by the new Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in accordance with Beijing's wishes.
While there can be no doubt the British could have done more long before the approaching 'date with destiny', it is plainly wrong to pin full responsibility on them for the continued lack of democracy in Hong Kong today. What is more, Tsang takes great care to emphasise the ingredients that made Hong Kong a success, and clarifies that democracy in and of itself was neither something seriously demanded by the people until the Handover was finally - and reluctantly - agreed to by the Thatcher government nor the sole criterion for ensuring good governance.
To truly understand what is playing out in the city of Hong Kong today, Tsang's book is simply indispensable, and a must-read for any commentator, opinion-maker or journalist reporting on the events as they unfold. Jun 03, Stephen rated it liked it.
While Tsang provides a concrete overview of Hong Kong's rich history, the dry structure and prose, on top of an overarching pro-british bias, somewhat pulls it down. While he acknowledges many flaws in the colonial administration, it is often done alongside a degree of whataboutism in relation to mainland China that becomes tiresome throughout the book.
Each critisism of the administration is proceeded by a comparison to the condition of mainland China, seemingly in an attempt to downplay the si While Tsang provides a concrete overview of Hong Kong's rich history, the dry structure and prose, on top of an overarching pro-british bias, somewhat pulls it down. Each critisism of the administration is proceeded by a comparison to the condition of mainland China, seemingly in an attempt to downplay the significance of these issues.
Additionally, there are some questionable assertions and implication. For example, Tsang says in the latter half of the book: 'the riots reflected more a frustration against the lack of communication between the people and the government than dissatisfaction over government ineffeciency.
Also, the level to which Tsang comprehends the CCP's ideology is questionable. He attempts to bring legitimacy to the colonial administration, particularly in its later years, by showing the degree to which it fit in with the Chinese political tradition.
While I agree wholeheartedly that the administration very much satisfied this tradition, Tsang does not seem to indicate an awareness that the CCP's attitude to the Chinese political tradition is hardly wholly positive, especially in the hard-line Maoist camp.
Regardess, this book did provide a thorough overview of Hong Kong's history which I would recommend. Jul 22, Patrick rated it it was amazing. The problem with a volume of history for a rapidly evolving city like Hong Kong is that the book - through no fault of the author - is pretty much out of date as soon as it is published.
For me, Hong Kong began as an accident of history and ended as a tragedy, as is attested by the tragic events of the past several years. At the rate it is going, it looks as if Hong Kong, as we know it, has already ceased to exist. In no time, the once thriving and beautiful metropolis will become just another u The problem with a volume of history for a rapidly evolving city like Hong Kong is that the book - through no fault of the author - is pretty much out of date as soon as it is published.
In no time, the once thriving and beautiful metropolis will become just another ugly Chinese city.
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