Abstract This paper analyzes "A Modern History of HongKong" by Steve Tsang. It explains the reasons for and effects of the making of HongKong into a Crown colony. In addition, the paper offers a critical review of the book and offers some suggestions for its improvement.
From the Paper "This paper analyzes "A Modern History of Hong Kong" by Steve Tsang and discusses the reasons behind and effects of England's decision to make Hong Kong into a Crown Colony. When the British flag was finally lowered on June it signaled the end of an era for Hong Kong. By this time Hong Kong had been transformed to an international financial center boasting a high quality of life for most of its residents, a stable government and an ..."
Tags:HongKong, England, imperialism, colonization, HongKongeconomy, China, Opium War
Abstract This essay briefly explores three areas of HongKong culture and history and includes the unique culture of the HongKong people and how it developed. The paper discusses how the efforts to stamp out the mui tsai practice illustrates the problems encountered in attempting to enforce British morality on the HongKong population and includes how and why Beijing attempted to influence the course of democratization in post 1997 HongKong.
From the Paper "Both Lau Siu-kai and Benjamin Leung agree that the Chinese people of Hong Kong have a unique culture and describe this culture as adventurous, individualistic, self-reliant and less encumbered by traditional inhibitions and having a degree of artificiality. A culture where an individual is free to be upwardly mobile and where personal success is based on economic success. Leung is more critical and to the point and adds that the Hong Kong citizen has a shaky moral status, no sense of cultural or moral mission and is characterized by crass materialism and utilitarianism due to the lack of moralizing elite and dominance of economic elite."
Abstract The following discussion proposes to assess the history of HongKong in terms of political culture and democracy. Initially, the country's famed role as an Asian Tiger in the period from 1960 to 1990 is explored. The anti-democratic bias of the national economic strategy is outlined. Then events surrounding the handover itself and subsequent political events are assessed. Next, this summer's election of the 'election committee' is examined. Finally, HongKong's culture of dynamism, dialectic and diversity will be examined.
Abstract Over the past five years the HongKong tourist industry has demonstrated unspectacular but consistent growth. This paper analyzes the recent statistical evidence about tourism in HongKong and assesses the current marketing campaign. It then critically analyzes this situation using SWOT/PEST and outlines a series of recommendations for the industry as it enters the twenty-first century.
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the matter of democratization in HongKong. The writer looks at activism in favor of democratization. Further the writer examines forces against democratization in HongKong.
From the Paper "The issue of democratization in Hong Kong is one that has polarized the former British colony, now a part of the People's Republic of China. Since the handover proceedings in 1997 and in the years leading up to it, there has been a strong political activism in favor of democratization. And while it can be difficult in the West, sometimes, to imagine a people that would not be wholeheartedly in favor of increased democratization, there are equally strong forces in Hong Kong acting to resist democratization."
Abstract This paper discusses the difficulties faced by medium-sized HongKong-based multinational companies that emulate the approaches taken by large western multinational companies. The analysis includes areas of difficulty identified include language, business culture, managerial philosophy, and ethnocentricity.
Abstract This paper explores the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace in general, and conflict management in the context of sexual harassment. The paper defines sexual harassment and considers a sample case of professors in HongKong involved in sexual harassment.
From the Paper "As increasing numbers of women have entered the work place during recent decades a relatively new phenomenon, sexual harassment, has become more commonplace ..."
Tags: sexual harassment, HongKong, university, conflict management
Abstract This paper looks at some of the arguments for and against the democratization of HongKong. The possible effects of democratization on global affairs are discussed. Also mentioned are the new anti-sedition laws passed by China's Communist government and the effects this would have on US-Chinese relations and Taiwan's independence. Some larger global issues are also mentioned in this article.
From the Paper "It would seem absurd to suggest that any country's citizens does not want their country to become a democracy. We see daily news reports of citizens all over the world marching in demand to be allowed to hold free elections with universal suffrage. So why do two of the three major political parties in Hong Kong hold anti-democracy positions? This paper examines the reasons for and against democratization of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who holds those opinions and what future possible repercussions might be. Protests and demonstrations of over 500,000 people have been held yearly in Hong Kong, demanding the democratic rights of free elections for all people of voting age in the SAR."
Abstract This paper explains that, with the handover of HongKong to China, the identity of HongKong is undergoing a changing reality as witnessed by the changing identity of HongKong's culture seen through its media and press. The author points out that many HongKong residents are now convinced that the culture and identity of HongKong rests not upon its citizens but on the government of China, thus challenging the future of human rights and democracy in HongKong. The paper states that many people believe that China has no interest whatsoever in the media and press freedom of HongKong as long as the economy of the country is resonant.
From the Paper "Hence, China can do or undo any rules and promises it previously made to the Hong Kongers. China can very easily use its legal documents and texts to justify its actions. Leaders worldwide have now begun to show their concern over the media change in Hong Kong. It is highly essential for Hong Kong to maintain its media identity since it greatly relies on it. Despite China's promise to the mass population of Hong Kong regarding their freedom of press and expression, Hong Kong today is an entirely different place than it was before the hand over. According to Lin Neumann, ?The climate of free expression in Hong Kong has shifted in subtle but distinct ways: In the vibrant Hong Kong press, self-censorship has become a fact of life."
Abstract The paper offers a survey of the history of HongKong that is focused on economic development. The paper also includes a reflection on how this created a distinctive HongKongeconomy, from the 1840s into the present. The paper discusses the forward thinking business culture that came after WWII when they wanted to avoid dependency by launching the light industry/manufacturing to augment the shipping base that altered with British imperial decline. The paper places an emphasis on HongKong as a finance centre and as negotiating an advantageous position with respect to Beijing, after the 1990s handover.
From the Paper "Economic history is more than the study of productivity or statistics. It provides understanding of how distinctive cultures develop and change and the economic history of Hong Kong seems bound to have created a new identity and one that people belonging to Hong Kong will continue to value. Brown & Foot's study of Hong Kong reflects a manner of looking at Hong Kong's development in delineated phases or 'stages' after 1840. However, if one looks at economics in a society that is dynamic, contained, but also cosmopolitan, thematic approaches may be more helpful."
Abstract This paper examines how HongKong, once a vibrant manufacturing center of Asia, is fast becoming the financial hub of the continent. It shows how with its immense human resource in the financial sector and its expertise in handling export services, it is fast becoming the main business gateway of China. It analyzes the various economic reasons that have redefined HongKong's role from being a largely production centric economy towards a service oriented economy.
Outline
Thesis
Introduction
Economic Growth
HongKong - China Industrial Relocation
Effects of Investments in China
Manufacturing Hub (A Declining Trend)
Reasons for the Shift
HongKong (Growing Entrepot Trade)
Tax Policies
Offshore Income (Tax Exemption)
Low Tax (Capital Income)
History of HongKong Currency
Aftermath of Reversion to China
China's Entry into WTO (Implications for HongKong)
The Growing Financial Market
Conclusion
From the Paper "In December 2000 the monetary authority of Hong Kong introduced the US dollar settlement system. It is widely perceived that the introduction the US dollar payment system within Hong Kong was initiated with a view to further boosting Hong Kong's potential as a financial service sector. The new US dollar payment system is in tune with Hong Kong's export oriented economy. Joseph Yam, chief secretary of Hong Kong's monetary Authority said the new system, "is part of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's continuing program of building financial infrastructure under its strategy for developing Hong Kong as the financial hub of Asia,?. He further adds, ?Because the exchange rate link suits an externally oriented, Entrepot economy, it will continue to serve Hong Kong well in its expanding role as a regional and international hub, as China enters the WTO.""
This paper examines the shift in HongKong's economy from one of manufacturing goods to one of providing services and explores the integration of this economy with the economy of mainland China.
Abstract The economy of HongKong has, over the past few decades, made significant changes toward becoming a service-oriented one as opposed to being focused on manufacturing. This shift has resulted in greater integration with the mainland of China due to the large number of manufacturing jobs being exported to the mainland as a result of the cheaper labor available there as well as due to the Chinese demand for the services provided by HongKong. This paper explores HongKong's evolution from a primarily goods-based economy to one heavily tilted towards services, and the effects of these shifts as documented in other economies as well as the duplication of these changes in HongKong. It also explains the factors which encourage greater integration with mainland China as a result of this shift. This has resulted in a beneficial relationship for the two nations' economic situations.
From the Paper "In 1997, control of the British colony of Hong Kong was officially transferred to the People's Republic of China, politically and otherwise officially integrating two entities which had, for years, been enmeshed with one another in many ways. In accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong, administrative and certain other controls shifted to mainland China, and many of the vestiges of colonial British rule were removed."
Abstract This paper explains that HongKong's housing, much more than in other cities, is a significant part of the infrastructure thus influencing the macro-economy: High housing costs cause workers to make wage demands and the employers are facing high location costs as well. The author points out that HongKong is unique in almost every respect, populated by Asians but has a Western-style economy but the Asian outlook on long-term investment is paramount. The paper concludes that the economic situation in HongKong is recovering faster than in other East Asian nations because of the financialized property-based economy, which is poised perfectly to weather economic storms without seeing the economy evaporate: Housing retains some value in any market; whereas, consumer goods and paper-based wealth of all sorts often do not.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Current Conditions
Literature Review
Findings
Discussion
Land Sales and Land-Related Revenue in HongKong 1991-2001
Various Asian Growth Projections, Annual GDP Growth in %: Actual and Projected
From the Paper "While Singapore and South Korea share some regional norms with Hong Kong, they are more properly considered newly industrialized countries (NICs) than Hong Kong. Park assessed housing policy in South Korea and Singapore because it is an important aspect of social development in addition to a source of shelter; he noted that it also affects access of the population to other material resources. He notes "In most cases, it can influence consumption patterns and household incomes, affecting what people can do and who they can become. For these reasons, most states in advanced capitalist countries have actively intervened in housing provision, although the degree and mode of state intervention vary according to sociopolitical conditions." In Hong Kong, historically and at the present, that intervention is considerable, a fact that sets it apart from most other 'free' economies."
Abstract The paper analyzes both the development of the HongKongeconomy into an Asian Tiger in the 1950s and 1960s and the current opportunities provided by reform in China and HongKong's retrocession. It also emphasizes the balance between private initiative and investment and the role of the public sector and government finance.
Abstract This paper examines how the political status of HongKong was transformed from that of a British Crown Colony to that of a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) when political control of HongKong passed to the PRC from the United Kingdom on July 1, 1997. It analyzes the economic crisis of enormous magnitude that began in east and southeast Asia in the late summer of that same year and evaluates if the transfer of political control over HongKong to the PRC was a causal factor in the development of the economic crisis that swept east and southeast Asian nations in the last half of 1997.
Outline
Introduction
Comparing Pre-Transfer to Post-Transfer Macroeconomic Performance by the HongKongEconomy Population
Gross Domestic Product
Industrial Production
Consumer Prices
Unemployment
Wages
Real Estate Performance
Conclusion
From the Paper "Real estate prices plunged in Hong Kong once effects of the wider Asian economic crisis began to be felt in Hong Kong. During this period (which lasted approximately six months in late-1997 and early-1998), real estate prices fell approximately 50 percent. No recovery in real estate prices began to occur until 1999. During the first six months of 1999, real estate prices have recovered to the extent of increasing approximately 15 percent. Analysts in Hong Kong are divided over the issue of whether the recovery in real estate will continue. Many of these analysts are pessimistic because of the recent deterioration in political relations between the PRC and Taiwan ("Hong Kong Land Sale Above Market's Expectation," 1999)."
