The Other Hong Kong Report 1994

Published annually since 1989, "The Other Hong Kong Report" is a review of the various aspects of development in Hong Kong in the past year by scholars and experts, who are not government officials, and is intended to offer an alternative view to that portrayed in government publications.

The issues surrounding Hong Kong's global position and international links grow increasingly complex by the day as the process of Hong Kong's transformation from a British colony to a Chinese Special Administration Region unfolds. This volume addresses a number of questions relating to this process. How international is Hong Kong? What are its global and international dimensions? How important are these dimensions to its continued success? How will these dimensions change, especially beyond the sphere of economics? Is Hong Kong's internationalization, defined in terms of its willingness to embrace international values and its capacity to maintain its international presence, at risk? These questions are presented as they pertain to the changing situation; relations between mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong; the positions of Australia, Canada and the United States on Hong Kong; internalization of international legal values; Americanization vs. Asianization; linkages to the world through Guangdong; strategies to emigrate overseas, cultural internationalization; media internationalization and universities within the global economy.

As Hong Kong transforms from a colonial dependent territory to a Chinese special administrative region, its international status will be increasingly connected to China's position in the world. the nature of Hong Kong global linkages are shifting as thepo

The return of Hong Kong to China in July 1997 has the potential to benefit China's rapidly expanding economy. China's handling of the transition will have enormous implications for her international standing. This is the first study to analyse the serious problems and real opportunities that the return of the colony poses to China's international status. Examining the relationships between Greater China, Hong Kong and the West, Hong Kong: China's Challenge explores the challenges that Chinese policy makers face up to 1997 and beyond: the clash of political cultures; handling problematic negotiations; dealing with conflicting economic interests. The book concludes by suggesting that a laissez faire approach to the lucrative Hong Kong markets will ensure that China harnesses the full political and economic benefits of sovereignty over the colony.

The seven essays in this volume address some of the critical issues underlining the process of Hong Kong's reintegration with China. In reviewing the drastic changes in Hong Kong since the mid-1980s, the authors provide multi-disciplinary perspectives to articulate the major institutions and forces that shape the interaction between Beijing and Hong Kong and help to define the challenges ahead.