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 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, HongKong economy, China, Opium War
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 takes a critical look at the Japanese invasion of HongKong in December of 1941. The paper points out that the occupation lasted till the early autumn of 1945, and the brutality of the experience is still a topic of resentment. It asserts that the occupation of World War II is part of HongKong's history and local memory for it harshly affected every family then living there. The paper adds that Japan's unknowable agenda caused some people in HongKong to rather welcome the 1997 lapse to the PRC, aware that their territory would be defended by the Red Army should their worst fears come to pass. The paper concludes that the fall of HongKong and the Japanese occupation were shattering events that have shaped HongKong's culture and consciousness.
Outline:
Introduction
Taking HongKong A Fighting People
The 21st Century
A Changed Identity?
Conclusion
From the Paper "One is unsurprised by comments of older people from Hong Kong on a 'Japanese mentality' or condemnation of recent Japanese elections favouring right-wing candidates. Stories still abound of Hong Kong civilians forced to dig hideouts for Japanese boats on Lamma Island, the diggers killed to keep the boats' locations secret. Part of the trouble involves how such horrid events contrasted with a colony of which many Chinese were most proud for Hong Kong had grown from nothing after the 1840s, the work of ordinary immigrants from the Mainland, the British administration working in their favour in years when the Mainland was hopelessly turbulent or just inefficient. In fact, after World War II, people wanted a return to stable government, eschewing decolonization in favour of colonial rule that lasted till 1997. The Japanese occupation had a deep impact, in this sense, as in 1952 proposed liberal reforms were not of interest to the public. Authoritative, stable rule was wanted instead, for the IJA occupation had destroyed Hong Kong's pre-War trading economy based on entrepot shipping and services linking the Chinese treaty ports that were most profitable. Hong Kong was a place of employment, education and hope, different from other European colonies in the region, its atmosphere said to be happier and more harmonious than in British Malaya or Singapore. Its people were often the children or the grandchildren of 19th century migrants, many from Canton, the whole social order differing from that of China, the well to do proud to descend from some ordinary soul to head for Hong Kong to make his fortune, away from the rigid class system of Mainland China, Qing instability and corruption."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that HongKong has had one of the most diverse political histories in East Asia. The writer notes that one of the most dramatic political developments in HongKong was its occupation by the Japanese during the Second World War. The writer examines why material and social conditions in HongKong declined so quickly during the Japanese occupation. The writer argues that these declines appeared to be the result of a HongKong's low strategic value and the fact that the Japanese disdain for prisoners and captive populations resulted in neglect or active brutality.
From the Paper "On the other hand Japanese ideology could have exacerbated this problem. In particular the Japanese saw themselves as superior to people form other countries. The Japanese also had a fundamentally different conception of prisoners of war and how they should be treated."
"To a large degree it can be argued that some of the problems experienced in Hong Kong were the result of Hong Kong's low strategic priority. Mainland China seemed to be a far greater threat then Hong Kong. In particular an alliance between China and the United States seemed particularly problematic for the Japanese."
Abstract This paper presents a case study of American television coverage of the HongKong handover that took place in 1997. The focus of this paper is on the way ABC, CBS, and NBC as a single group, and CNN and "News Hour" framed their reports from 1984 to 1997 on events leading up to and including the handover. It covers historical events such as the signing of the HongKong Treaty, the massacre in Tiananmen Square, the arrival of Governor Chris Patten, and subsequently, the HongKong handover. The paper asserts that the handover was a healthy gesture that stood for freedom of all human beings, but that the event was exploited by American television coverage.
From the Paper "As in the case of the Hong Kong "handover", American television coverage relentlessly depicted more of a negative side of the story. Though there were citizens in Hong Kong who may have had reservations about the "handover", American television coverage gave their public the impression that many citizens in Hong Kong were displeased with the "handover". The reality of the situation was that there celebrations all over Hong Kong at the time of the "handover". It must be noted that this manufacture of news was based on what each news channel had covered earlier, since 1984. This is to say that they had all covered the Tiananmen Square Massacre as well as Governor Chris Patten's arrival. The coverage of these events served was the basis of what was reported at the time of the "handover". However, it is the framing devices implemented by each of the news agencies that need to be noted here in order to determine how each news agency (ABC, CBS and NBC, CNN, and News Hour) may have manufactured news between 1984 and 1997."
A comparative analysis of three different articles relating to the 1941 attack of the Japanese army on HongKong and Japanese occupation till the end of the War in 1945.
Abstract This paper discusses, from different perspectives, the 1941 attack of the Japanese Imperial Army on HongKong and the brutal Japanese occupation there till the end of the War in 1945. It examines three scholarly articles that are seen to relate to the same broad topic of how events during World War II in Asia continue to shape thinking on Japan, more than 50 years later, in matters of power and strategy involving China, Japan, the U.S. and other influences. June Teufel Dreyer is introduced as an American follower of East Asian affairs and the author of an article on Japan and China that seems more American in scope than Asian. Richard J. Aldrich's study of British secret intelligence in Asia during World War II is then discussed in relation to HongKong. The third paper is by Kent Fedorowich on a British diplomat's view of HongKong before the colony fell to the Japanese.
Outline:
Introduction
On Sino-Japanese Rivalry
Allied Intelligence in World War II - HongKong HongKong on the Eve of its Occupation Concluding Remarks
From the Paper " When Hong Kong fell to the Japanese, civilians were interned and thousands of Indian, British and Canadian soldiers that had tried to defend the colony became prisoners of war, many of them dying of disease, starvation and general abuse. (CBC 1972) Consulting Greenhous's summary of the 2,000 Canadians defeated at Hong Kong's struggle against the Japanese showed the takeover as something that people in Hong Kong would remember for many years. (1997) The soldiers fought from December 8 to 18, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army often killing the wounded just as they viciously attacked civilians. When the Japanese took control of the colony the people lived on tiny rations, the actual takeover as brutal as anywhere in Asia the Japanese conquered. The people of Hong Kong till the lapse of 1997 were used to seeing Communist China as a place of oppression and perhaps unwanted designs on the future of Hong Kong, but Japan stayed in mind as the greater enemy, and a potential new threat. "
Abstract This paper refers to two papers that appeared before the lapse of HongKong to the People's Republic of China (PRC) that have to do with underground criminal networks. In addition to the articles, the paper reviews the history of secret societies and organized crime in HongKong which has a wide set of networks that can be well known as Tong and Triad societies. The paper further discusses the competition from the Yakuza of Japan, other Japanese networks and other Chinese networks underground in Shanghai or other coastal cities of the PRC that came to have power as the 1978 Reforms arrived and a growing capitalist economy.
From the Paper "An article of Jennifer Bolz on HK's secret societies and human trafficking to the US is introduced, and Willard Myers' study of East Asian organized crime that had risen with globalization, capitalism in the PRC and profits from shipping people to the West. The early 1990s such much interest in Transnational crime, new roles for secret societies and, significantly, tough new laws in Hong Kong in an anti-gang law. Secret societies are used to opposition; new niche markets will result."
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 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.""
