POLI3035 – Public Administration in Hong Kong

Lecture 1: Colonial Legacy

Outline
1. What is a colony?
2. Was Hong Kong a colony?
3. What is the colonial legacy in Hong Kong?
4. Has Hong Kong been decolonised?

Essential Characteristics of Colonialism

 A relationship of domination between an indigenous majority and a minority of foreign
invaders.
 Decisions affecting the lives of the colonised people are made in pursuit of the colonial
power’s own interests.
 The colonisers are convinced of their own superiority

Was Hong Kong a Colony?

 Yes (Burns, 2022; Cheung, 2022):
o UK occupied, controlled and recognised Hong Kong as a colony
o Chinese Government of the day formally recognised this
o Chinese Government of the day behaved as if Hong Kong was a colony
o People of Hong Kong and foreigners behaved as if Hong Kong was a colony
o British rule of Hong Kong was constitutionally the same as other colonies
o An ‘atypical’ colony that did not become independent at last
 No (Hong Kong Government, 2022):
o British occupation of Hong Kong was illegal, illegitimate
o Sovereignty over Hong Kong not transferred to the UK
o Colonies become independent

Colonial Legacy
Claims Reality
Democratisation /  Non-accountable / unelected government / business-
Freedom of speech dominated / rubberstamp legislature / state-led de-
politicisation
Rule of law /  Alien language / discrimination / emergency power /
independent judiciary emphasis on ‘law, order and stability’ but not fairness,
equality, accountability, civil and political rights
Economic freedom and  Laissez-faire façade / monopoly of coloniser / used law to
limited government control labour
Efficient, clean civil  English language / British-dominated / orientation / corrupt /
service autonomous / local, insular, lack national unity / loyalty,
‘political neutrality’