Description
Book SynopsisThis book fills the long-standing void in the existing scholarship by constructing an empirical study of colonial governance and political culture in Hong Kong from 1966 to 1997.Using under-exploited archival and unofficial data in London and Hong Kong, it overcomes the limitations in the existing literature which has been written mainly by political scientists and sociologists, and has been primarily theoretically driven. It addresses a highly contested and timely agenda, one in which colonial historians have made major interventions: the nature of colonial governance and autonomy of the colonial polity. This book focusing on colonialism and the Chinese society in Hong Kong in a pivotal period will generate meaningful discussions and heated debates on comparisons between ‘colonialism’ in different space and time: between Hong Kong and other former British colonies; and between colonial and post-colonial Hong Kong.
Trade Review'Timely and provocative, Mok’s deeply researched and compellingly argued book is a wake-up call
to those politicians and academics who still embrace the erroneous “myth of political apathy and
stability in Hong Kong” (p. 257) and fail to understand Hong Kong’s political culture through
its ongoing history of political activism. Covert Colonialism is essential reading for those interested
in Hong Kong history and politics, as well as in the evolving nature of colonial governance and
decolonization during the 20th century, the effects of which can still be felt today.'
The China Quarterly
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Table of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Constructing ‘public opinion’ through Town Talk and MOOD
2. The Chinese as the official language movement
3. The anti-corruption movement
4. The campaign against telephone rate increases
5. The campaign to reopen the Precious Blood Golden Jubilee School
6. The changing immigration discourse and policy
7. The British Nationality Act controversy
8. Overt public opinion surveys and shifting popular attitudes towards proposed and implemented constitutional reforms
Conclusion
Select bibliography
