Suchergebnisse

On signing the Joint Declaration commencing Hong Kong's return to the People's Republic of China, Deng Xiaoping promised "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" would be Beijing's policy. There was, however, "one condition in self-governing. That is to love China & to love Hong Kong." He continued, "So long as you love our nation & its unity, you can advocate your political views, including condemning the Communist Party." Love of country or patriotism has long been associated with citizenship. However, Hong Kong people in large numbers have demonstrably feared, not loved, their new sovereign. Two years after reunion, nearly 66% feel little on China's National Day celebrations, & barely 33% would defend China if it were attacked by foreign powers. Do Hong Kong people fulfill Deng's conditions for self-rule? Are there any signs that Hong Kong people are developing the sort of commitment to China, the love of country, which is the foundation of the Chinese Communist party's view of citizenship? In seeking to answer these questions, this article analyzes data generated by the Hong Kong Transition Project over 10 years. 6 Tables, 43 References. Adapted from the source document.

While Hong Kong people are often characterized as politically apathetic, closer study indicates that such descriptions need to be reconsidered in light of Hong Kong's particular, and peculiar, history and future. The restraints of proximity to a soon-to-be-sovereign China and its position as a listening post, capitalist enclave, and refuge imposed psychological (internalized) and security-based (external) limits on formal democratic political development. Although there have been, and remain, vigorous structures of Chinese political influence and activity, with Chinese Communist Party and Nationalist China partisans estimated at some 60,000 in the early 1980s, political participation in colonial politics remained limited except for the village-based politics of Heung Yee Kuk. In a process beginning in the early 1970s, however, territorywide political structures were erected that encouraged the grassroots activities that laid a foundation for rapid political development in the 1980s and 1990s.

While the Hong Kong populace is often characterized as politically apathetic, closer study indicates that this description needs to be considered in light of Hong Kong's particular, & peculiar, history & future. The restraints of proximity to soon-to-be-sovereign People's Republic of China & its position as a listening post, capitalist enclave, & refuge imposed psychological (internalized) & security-based (external) limits on formal democratic political development. Although there have been, & remain, vigorous structures of Chinese political influence & activity, with Chinese Communist Party & Nationalist China partisans estimated at some 60,000 in the early 1980s, political participation in colonial politics remains limited except for the village-based politics of Heung Yee Kuk. In a process beginning in the early 1970s, however, territorywide political structures were erected, encouraging the grassroots activities responsible for rapid political development in the 1980s & 1990s. Adapted from the source document.