Hong Kong–China Relations over Three Decades of Change: From Apprehension to Integration to Clashes

Hong Kong–China Relations over Three Decades of Change: From Apprehension to Integration to Clashes
Wing-Chung HO and Emilie TRAN
The Umbrella Movement, which took place in Hong Kong between 26 September and
15 December 2014, was indisputably a defining moment in the former colony. The authors
argue that the Umbrella Movement was not a single, contingent political incident. Rather it
represented a structural change in Hongkongers’ perceived relations with the Chinese government,
which was deeply connected with the change of specific cultural, economic and political factors
pertinent to Hong Kong society in the past three decades. In conclusion, the authors suggest that
Hongkongers’ cultural perception of the closing-in of the central government’s power is a key
determinant of the perception of Hong Kong–China relations.

Publication date

2019

Journal title, volume/issue number, page range

China: An International Journal, Volume 17, Number 1, February 2019, pp. 173-193

ISSN

0219-7472

Specialisation

Social Sciences

Theme

Society
National politics