New Book: Hong Kong in China—Rethinking the Hong Kong–Mainland Relationship (in Chinese) (香港在中國—重新思考內地與香港關係) by Christine Loh and Richard Cullen

"Hong Kong in China—Rethinking the Hong Kong–Mainland Relationship (in Chinese)"
<<香港在中國—重新思考內地與香港關係>>
Author / Editor
著 陸恭蕙 (Ms Christine Loh) 高禮文 (Professor Richard Cullen) , 譯 魏磊傑
City University of Hong Kong Press
Published in August 2021

98 pp.

Overview: It is over 20 years since British Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Much has happened that is positive since 1997. At the same time there have been recurring political incidents and stand-offs which have produced a series of severe policy log-jams and bred anxiety among the people of Hong Kong. There is a belief that Hong Kong is “stuck” and unable to advance.

     Can the HKSAR see a positive future within China? We recently published a short book, with Abbreviated Press in Hong Kong, entitled, No Third Person: Rewriting the Hong Kong Story, to address this question (see: http://www.abbrv.press/nothirdperson.html. Available from the Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/No-Third-Person-Christine-Loh/9789881662965). We felt there remained a need for a further, more thorough discussion about Hong Kong’s future. We have now published an extended online review of this key question entitled, Hong Kong in China with the IPP Review in Singapore (see: https://ippreview.com/index.php/Index/company/name/about.html). This translated version of Hong Kong in China is enabled by the generous agreement of Abbreviated Press and the IPP Review. (Sections within Hong Kong in China repeat text and arguments found in No Third Party.)

      The last British Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten noted, in 1996, that "The world should want China to succeed as it continues its brave economic revolution." We agreed with that view then and we agree with it today. In this work, serialized in three parts in the IPP Review, we explain why Hong Kong remains exceptionally well placed to continue to shape its own positive future, within China, just as it has done, with such remarkable success, in the past.

     Part 1 of Hong Kong in China provides a general introduction of the historical background of Hong Kong seen from British and Chinese perspectives over the last two centuries. It also explains the constitutional and legal structure of Hong Kong’s reversion to Chinese sovereignty and considers how this regime has operated when placed under stress. Part 2 sets out Hong Kong’s economic fundamentals and also reviews the geo-political stresses affecting the Hong Kong – mainland relationship. Part 3 investigates how Hong Kong can get unstuck and – building on this – how Hong Kong can construct its new narrative – the story of Hong Kong in China.

      We owe thanks to a range of people who have advised and commented on this work. These include, Professor Albert Chen and Professor Fu, Hualing from The University of Hong Kong and Professor Harry Glasbeek, Emeritus Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Canada. We owe special thanks to Professor Wei Leijie and his team from Xiamen University in China who have undertaken this translation. The authors, alone, are responsible for all that is argued in this book and for any errors and omissions.

Preface by Professor Albert Chen.

Introduction of Preface: A "Post-National Security Law Era" Narrative for Hong Kong

What is "one country, two systems"? How should we understand the relationship between the "high degree of autonomy" of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), state sovereignty and the central authorities’ “comprehensive jurisdiction” over the HKSAR? What should be the identity of Hong Kong people? What kind of discourse or narrative should there be about the "Hong Kong Story"?  How should Hong Kong’s past be understood? What kind of future will Hong Kong have?  How could the path of "one country, two systems" proceed?

     In the "post-National Security Law era", this series of issues is more urgent than at any other time in history, and they are causing anxiety among many Hong Kong people. Although this book was written before the enactment of the HKSAR National Security Law, it has fleshed out these issues and provided preliminary answers to them.

      In fact, I believe that in the "post-National Security Law era", this book is more meaningful, valuable and enlightening to us than it was at the time of its writing.  The authors are Christine Loh and Richard Cullen.  Loh is a public figure in Hong Kong, having served as a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council before and after reunification, and as Undersecretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government.  Loh is also a scholar and has written many books. Cullen, from Australia, has taught at the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong for many years, and in recent years at the Faculty of Law of The University of Hong Kong. Both authors are intellectuals who have long lived in Hong Kong, served Hong Kong and love Hong Kong. This book is the culmination of years of their reflections on Hong Kong's situation under "one country, two systems", and on the "Hong Kong story". 

Praise from the Dean Professor Fu Hualing (in Chinese):

「這本書提醒讀者香港憲制的歷史是世界歷史和中國歷史的一個小插曲。近二十年來有關一國兩制的爭論和衝突只有放在中國和世界的視野下才會有真正的意義—它們主要是世界格局的變化在香港引發的陣痛。應對速變是香港的宿命，而香港從來都能把握好危機中的機會。本書正是告訴讀者香港的將來在中國、中國的將來在世界。把握好這個機遇，香港依然是中國走向世界的橋樑。」
    傅華伶
    香港大學 法律學院教授，院長