The Hong Kong-China Nexus: A Brief History

The Occupy Central/Umbrella Movement of 2014 and the anti-extradition protests of 2019 highlighted the deteriorating relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China since 1997. Despite mutual distrust, Hong Kong people have identified as Hongkongers rather than Chinese, but the two regions have coexisted and benefited each other for over 150 years. The Hong Kong-China nexus defies common assumptions about nationalism, colonialism, and decolonization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Occupy Central/Umbrella Movement of 2014 and the anti-extradition protests of 2019 have starkly showcased the significant deterioration of Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China since the former British colony's return to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997. A pervasive mutual distrust and suspicion has reached unprecedented levels, leading many Hong Kong residents to identify themselves as Hongkongers rather than as Chinese. However, as John Carroll demonstrates, for over 150 years, colonial Hong Kong and China coexisted and mutually benefited from each other, even during the anti-imperialist campaigns of the Republican and Communist eras. The porous boundary between Hong Kong and China facilitated economic, political, social, and cultural exchanges between the two. The Hong Kong-China nexus, while deeply intertwined with global dynamics of colonialism, Cold War politics, and capitalist expansion, challenges prevailing notions of nationalism, colonialism, and decolonization.

The historical relationship between Hong Kong and China has been marked by complex dynamics and evolving perspectives. Prior to the handover in 1997, Hong Kong enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and economic prosperity under British rule. However, with the change in sovereignty, tensions began to rise between Hong Kong and mainland China. One of the key issues that have contributed to the deterioration of relations is the concept of "one country, two systems." While Hong Kong was promised a certain degree of autonomy and freedoms for 50 years after the handover, there have been growing concerns that China is exerting increasing control over the territory, particularly in areas such as politics, the legal system, and national security.

The Occupy Central/Umbrella Movement of 2014 was a significant protest that highlighted the growing discontent among Hong Kong residents towards the Chinese government's interference in their affairs. The movement began as a peaceful demonstration against proposed legislation that would allow extradition to mainland China, which many saw as a threat to Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms. However, the protests quickly escalated into a broader anti-government movement, with demands for greater democracy, freedom of speech, and the release of arrested protesters.

The movement was met with a harsh response from the Chinese government, which deployed thousands of police officers to suppress the protests and arrested hundreds of participants. The crackdown sparked international outrage and led to calls for greater support for Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms. The protests also highlighted the growing divide between Hong Kong residents and mainland China, with many Hong Kongers feeling that their unique identity and culture are being eroded by the Chinese government's policies.

In response to the protests, the Chinese government introduced a new national security law in Hong Kong in 2020. The law criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, and has been widely criticized by human rights groups and international organizations. The law has led to further tensions between Hong Kong and mainland China, with many fearing that it will further erode Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms.

The anti-extradition protests of 2019 were a continuation of the Occupy Central/Umbrella Movement and were sparked by the arrest of a Hong Kong bookseller who was accused of colluding with mainland China to publish seditious materials. The protests quickly grew in size and scope, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand the release of the bookseller and the withdrawal of the national security law. The protests were again met with a harsh response from the Chinese government, which deployed police and military forces to suppress the protests and arrested hundreds of participants.

The protests also highlighted the growing international support for Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms. Many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, expressed their concern about the Chinese government's actions and called for greater support for Hong Kong's democracy and human rights. The protests also led to a renewed focus on the issue of colonialism and decolonization, with many people questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese government's claim to sovereignty over Hong Kong.

In conclusion, the Occupy Central/Umbrella Movement of 2014 and the anti-extradition protests of 2019 have revealed the significant deterioration of Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China since the former British colony's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. The mutual distrust and suspicion between Hong Kong and mainland China have reached unprecedented levels, leading many Hong Kong residents to identify themselves as Hongkongers rather than as Chinese. The Hong Kong-China nexus, while deeply intertwined with global dynamics of colonialism, Cold War politics, and capitalist expansion, challenges prevailing notions of nationalism, colonialism, and decolonization. The historical relationship between Hong Kong and China has been marked by complex dynamics and evolving perspectives, and the challenges facing the territory continue to be a source of concern for both Hong Kong and mainland China.

ISBN-13: 9781108789776