GEJC1020 Lecture 3: Hong Kong Connected - Trade and World System 2024-2025 PDF

1 GEJC1020 Hong Kong Story LECTURE 3 Hong Kong connected: the world-system and the regional network Lecture structure 2 1. 1870s‐1967: Regional affairs – how regional nationalism and decolonization affected (& by) Hong Kong 2. 1950s‐1980s: Lo...

1 GEJC1020 Hong Kong Story LECTURE 3 Hong Kong connected: the world-system and the regional network Lecture structure 2 1. 1870s‐1967: Regional affairs – how regional nationalism and decolonization affected (& by) Hong Kong 2. 1950s‐1980s: Local – rise of Hong Kong in the world system 3. 1980s‐ now: trade in the global city 4. Conclusion: Hong Kong, where from now? Some standard definitions 3 (SD) SD1: HK’s postwar prosperity  ‘free trade’ as the only reason? HD1: How about Cold-War politics? SD2: Trade dominated by ‘East-West’ flow? HD2: The North-South trade & Nanyang (Southern Ocean) connection SD3: Financial hub – only high-end trade? HD3: Low-end globalization and Hong Kong  4 Part 1 1870s‐1967: How regional nationalism and decolonization affected (by) Hong Kong Regional nationalism 5 ‘affected’ by Hong Kong  Last lecture: Colonial rule less than harmonious: collaboration, marginalization, conflict and pacification.  Colonial rule further complicated by regional nationalism and decolonization movement  E.g. Hong Kong as the haven for ‘asylum seekers’.  6 「四大寇」， 前排左起： 楊鶴齡、孫 中山、陳少 白、尢列； 後立者為關 景良。攝於 香港華人西 醫書院 (wiki)  Dr.Sun Yat-sen’s (1866-1925, left 2) revolutionary work: with his peers Yang Heling (left 1), Chen Shaobai (right 2) and You Lie (right 1) – nick named “The Four Desperados”  7 Hồ Chí Minh (胡志 明) was twice arrested in Hong Kong (1931) and kept in the Victoria Prison Regional nationalism and the 8 free port status  The Revolutionaries founded the Hong Kong Revive China Society in Central.  The free port of Hong Kong became China’s revolutionary hub for recruitment of fighters, fund raising, weapons purchasing, and operation launching ground.  Freedom of press and publication industry  spread revolutionary idea.  E.g. Hong Kong as the base for an uprising in Guangzhou. Tsang, Steven. 2004. A Modern History on Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. P.76-77 Regional nationalism and the 9 local class  Yet…Hong Kong was less involved in organizing the 1911 Xinhai Revolution.  The recruitment and training of revolutionists moved to other location, e.g. Japan, at the start of 20th Century.  The educated elitists in Hong Kong failed to rally popular grassroots support. (recall Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s temple story)  Involvement of secret societies in organizing labors. Regional nationalism ‐ 10 Labors strikes Major conflicts (rise of the labors): - Mechanics’ Strike (1920) - Seamen’s Strike (1922) - Canton-Hong Kong Strike (省港大罷工 1925) Regional nationalism 11 ‐ the Canton HK Strike ((June 1925 – October 1926))  Treaty of Versailles (凡爾賽條約 1919): German’s concession in Shandong ceded to Japan  triggered the May-Fourth Movement (nationalism + anti-imperialism)  1925 May 30: Movement related shooting incidents, British Sikh (錫克) police massacred Chinese protesters at the Shanghai International Settlement.  1925 June 23: Canton Shamian massacre, British + French army killed 50, wounded 120+ in Canton. Regional – nationalism 12 Colonial response: education!  Canton-HK Strike a major show-down between colonial government and Canton government. Largest strike and boycott in Hong Kong’s history.  To suppress anti-imperialist movement: gov. registered all private school (1913); promoted the conservative teachings of Confucianism in colonial education (1926 – first colonial Chinese school). Sanction of anti-imperialist press.  Strikebreaking tactics like counter-propaganda campaign were employed by Chinese merchants.  Crack down on communist activity in Hong Kong.  13 SD1: HK’s prosperity - ‘free trade’ as the only reason? HD1: How about Cold-War politics? Height of imperialism 14  Japanese occupation (3 years 8 months, from 1941 Dec 25).  Japan deported Hong Kong population (1.6 million → 0.6 million) Regional – Post-War 15 Decolonization and the Cold War Politics British warship Swiftsure entering Victoria Habor on 30 August 1945 1945 liberation of Hong Kong at Cenotaph Regional – Post‐War Decolonization 16 and Cold War Politics  US President: Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945 Apr 12)  Harry S. Truman  Truman Doctrine (reoriented U.S. foreign policy from withdrawal from regional conflicts not involving US, to intervention); Marshall Plan, supporting Hollywood (culture)  The Communist World vs. the Western World  HK – China’s [fully utilized and long term view] vs. Western [capitalist window for China].  Former empire devastated – former colonies seek independence – rise of nationalism in the region  Chinese Civil War (1946‐49)  influx of refugees to Hong Kong.  Proxy war: Korea War (1950‐53)  UN trade embargos on China.  Proxy war: Vietnam War (1955/66‐75)  rise of war industry (radio, textile) and transit port. Love is a Many‐Splendored Thing 17 (生死戀) ‐ 1955 American film Set in 1949‐1950 ‐ Hong Kong American reporter falls in love with a Eurasian doctor. ‐ The former died later in Korean War (1950‐ 1953) - https://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=6kAshN_ 1Trk Based on story of Han Suyin (韓素音) The World of Suzie Wong: 18 ‐ 1960 American film ‐ American architect Robert Lomax fell in love with Suzie Wong ‐ Indochina tensions (1955‐1975) https://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=jnepiAcqb_g  19 Suzie Wong - one side of the story? Industrialization? Urbanization? 1954 The first resettlement estate in Hong Kong was completed in Shek Kip Mei. It consisted of eight six-storey resettlement blocks (Mark I blocks). https://www.hkhagallery.gov.hk/en/development.html  20 SD2: Trade dominated by ‘East-West’ flow? HD2: The North-South trade & Nanyang (Southern Ocean) connection The (Geographical) North-South trade & 21 Nanyang (Southern Ocean)? Nam Pak Hong (南北行) and the Sea cucumber connection www.discoverhongkong.com The North-South trade & Nanyang 22 (Southern Ocean) connection? Baba Nyonya (峇峇娘惹) (Ming Dynasty 15th century) 叻沙, chicken rice Nonya cusine 娘惹菜 HK positioned as traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peranakan The North-South trade & Nanyang23 (Southern Ocean) connection? Why did Chinese merchants move to South Asia? - Historical Linkage - Population Outflow (e.g. Tai Ping Civil Wars) - Development of South Asia (vast business opportunities) - Acted as brokerages between China and South Asia, often via HK. - Trade ‘embedded’ in migration network Regional –Cold War Politics & 24 Nanyang (Southern Ocean) connection? - Cultural and film merchandises were produced in Hong Kong E.g. Sir Run Run Shaw’s Enterprise in South Asia. - Governor Sir Alexander Grantham sent a telegram to Singapore Governor with title “Chinese Films Made in Hong Kong” (1950) (see Mak 2009) Mak, Grace Yan-yan. 2009. Filming Nanyang: Hong Kong – Singapore Connection (1950‐65). Doctoral Thesis. National University of Singapore. Regional – Cold War politics + 25 Nanyang connection? The Romance of Nonya (1969) - Love with a Malaysian Girl  26 Tan, E. K. (2010). Hong Kong cinema and the portrayal of the Nanyang Chinese in the 1950s and 1960s. Journal of Chinese Cinemas, 4(2), 155-168. Regional – Post-War 27 Decolonization - Decolonization movement of the South Asia 1957-1978 (Trade links with HK declined if not ‘disconnected’) - E.g. Merdeka Tournament - A football tournament in Malaysia to honour the Independence Day. First in August and September 1st prime minister (Tunku 1957 in Malaya (now Malaysia). It Abdul Rahman Putra Al- was won by Hong Kong! (2nd Haj) proclaiming Malayan independence. Indonesia, 3rd South Vietnam) Regional – Post-War 28 Decolonization  change in trade direction Rise of trade protectionism due to import substitution industrialization (ISI) - Chinese Exclusion in 1965 in Indonesia (and 1969 in Malaysia) - Result: Chinese businessmen gave up their business and moved to HK in 1960s-1970s. Further severing existing trade network. - Demise of HK N-S trade (also with expanded list of trade items beyond N-S) Regional – Post-War 29 Decolonization : % export trade  30 Part II: 1950s‐1980s: Local – rise of Hong Kong in the world system HK rose to semi-Periphery in World 31 System Hegemon UK HK? US HK? Further reading: Wallerstein, Immanuel. 2000. The Essential Wallerstein. New York: The New Press.  32 Class activity: the bid for capital US as the new core: 33 Hong Kong drawn into Asian US Dollar Zone amid industrialization  34 Cold War Politics: Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (around 1969) (CARE) Image: wiki US as the new core: 35 Hong Kong drawn into Asian US Dollar Zone amid industrialization Trading between Hong Kong and Africa, Europe and US (Trading partner) expanded  The fall of UK and the rise of US. Hong Kong’s main trading partners were then US, Japan. Cold war context and the rise of Four Asian Dragons supported by the US to prevent the further spread of communism to other parts of the region. US as the new core: 36 Hong Kong drawn into Asian US Dollar Zone amid industrialization The rise of Industrial Sector in Hong Kong British preference tariff system (Commonwealth) Expansion of middle class in post-war US (consumption) US opening of market to HK Changing profile of merchants GATT and rise of Shanghai merchants (escaped to HK with capitals and technology, favored by colonial officials and HSBC) Cantonese merchants sidelined until late 1970s Despite the trade embargo, trade with mainland China continued. Formal (e.g. food, water) and informal. US as the new core: 37 % import trade UKUSA  Rapid industrialization and feminization of workforce (1960s-) 38 郎如春日 風 (Her Tender Love, 1969) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-De1LN_y4Y  Rise of Hong Kong in the world 39 system: 1968‐1978 Golden age  Global level  Improved Sino‐US relation  1971 PRC resumed UN position  Improved and formalized Sino‐British relation  Regional level  China – cultural revolution continued, but fewer interventions in HK (after 1967 Riots)  Increasing competition from newly industrialized economy (NIEs: Four Little Dragon)  Rise of Hong Kong in the world 40 system: 1968‐1978 Golden age Governor Murray MacLehose  1971‐1982  Infrastructure – transportation, hospital  Political reform ‐ Home Affairs Department 民政署 (consultation)  Expansion of housing, education, social security / welfare  Improved labor condition  Rise of HK Popular Culture 1969 Hong Kong Festival Hong Kong becoming a global 41 city: 1980s – 1990s - now - Open door policy of PRC after 1978 - Deindustrialization – factories relocation (from Hong Kong to mainland China). - Kept headquarters in HK and set up factories in mainland China. - Made in Hong Kong  Made by Hong Kong - Manufacturing  Trade of service (legal services, management consultation, accounting, debt market, banking and information technology services, etc.).  42 Part II: 1980s‐ now: trade in the global city  43 SD3: Financial hub – only high- end service trade? HD3: Global South-South Trade and Hong Kong Americanization of Hong Kong, or 44 Japanization? Gundam Founded in 1992 1979-4-7 to 1980-1-26 Chung king Mansion – South-South 45 trade between the World Factory of China and Developing Countries http://www.bbc.com/news/business-24494174  46 Formal vs. informal trade network en.wikipedia.org Characteristics of the global city 47 of Hong Kong (1990s-2000s)  ‘Information hub’, serving as brain connecting regional production circuits.  Further financialization – property market and everything!  Polarization of income: changing social mobility structure – expanding service class.  Feminization of workforce  polarized migration: ‘exporting’ or transnationalizing self-help work (e.g. rise of no. of migrant domestic helpers). - Topics to be addressed later  48 Conclusion: Hong Kong and trade, where from now? Rise of Hong Kong in the 49 world system 1. Transcontinental trade existed in South China before the British came  HK’s initial global position: peripheral 2. ‘Free trade’ embedded in Chinese migration network; geographically north-south Nanyang trade, and its decline; merchants shaped ‘industrialization’ 3. HK’s global position: peripheral  semi-peripheral 4. West (US & Japan)-East trade; bridging South- South Countries trade (e.g. Chungking Mansion, but also declining now).  HK global position: became a global city Time Phrases East-West trades South-North 50trades Early colonization Sino-British trades (geographical) Trade period till WWII established Hong between China and Kong as an entrepôt South Asia - Key actors: British - Key actors: (Scottish) merchants Naoyang merchants Cold War The hegemony of US, Significantly declined traded with Europe, due to cold war and US and Japan decolonization of the - Key actors: Chinese South Asia merchants (e.g. - Some key actors: Shanghai) and e.g. movie and migrants Chinese diaspora Open Door Policy of Economic restructuring of Hong Kong as PRC global city (from industrial based to financial based economy) and South-South trades (between global developing countries under globalization)  1997 51 financial crisis Yeung, G. (2018). End of a chapter? Hong Kong manufacturers in the Pearl River Delta. In T. L. Lui, S. W. Chiu & R. Yep (Eds.). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Hong Kong , (pp.397- 413). London: Routledge (page 400)  52 Yeung, G. (2018). End of a chapter? Hong Kong manufacturers in the Pearl River Delta. In T. L. Lui, S. W. Chiu & R. Yep (Eds.). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Hong Kong , (pp.397- 413). London: Routledge (page 408)  53  Changing labor and environmental regulations in the Pearl River Delta area  HK based industrialists: relocation or reinvestment?  Hong Kong: A Lost Opportunity for Industrial Upgrade? (next lecture)  Emerging role in the Greater bay Area? From informal to formal South-South trade? Yeung, G. (2018). End of a chapter? Hong Kong manufacturers in the Pearl River Delta. In T. L. Lui, S. W. Chiu & R. Yep (Eds.). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Hong Kong , (pp.397- 413). London: Routledge (page 400)