Select One Year from the Period 1900-97: Analyze Why That Year Became a Turning Point in the Political and Administrative Development in Hong Kong.
History Essay-
Select one year from the period 1900-97: Analyze why that year became a turning point in the political and administrative development in Hong Kong.
1984 was definitely a turning point in Hong Kong’s political and administrative development. 1984 was the year when the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong was signed between the Chinese and British governments. Before then, the speed of the political modernization of Hong Kong was slow. Senior posts and memberships of the Executive and Legislative Councils were dominated by foreigners. Not many democratic elements were shown in the government. The status of Chinese was insignificant. However, after 1984, the pace of political modernization accelerated. Under British administration, a more representative government was developed. Hong Kong ushered into a new era with higher degree of democracy.
Before 1984, Hong Kong had limited progress of political modernization. In the early stage of British administration, the Hong Kong government was executive-led and the governor was the core of power. Members of Executive and Legislative Councils were appointed. Moreover, the majority was foreigners. Chinese had very limited representation. Only a few Chinese elites were appointed into the Councils. Nevertheless, they had no actual power, the centre of political power still lay in the governor’s hands. The British government also implemented a two-faced policy towards the Chinese. On one side, it did not interfere with Chinese affairs and retain Chinese traditional customs and culture. On the other side, it privileged the foreigners and discriminated against the local Chinese. Higher civil service positions were reserved for foreigners, whereas Chinese could only attain lower positions. The government was thus dominated by foreigners. There was a severe lack of democratic elements. Furthermore, the colonial government
Select one year from the period 1900-97: Analyze why that year became a turning point in the political and administrative development in Hong Kong.
1984 was definitely a turning point in Hong Kong’s political and administrative development. 1984 was the year when the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong was signed between the Chinese and British governments. Before then, the speed of the political modernization of Hong Kong was slow. Senior posts and memberships of the Executive and Legislative Councils were dominated by foreigners. Not many democratic elements were shown in the government. The status of Chinese was insignificant. However, after 1984, the pace of political modernization accelerated. Under British administration, a more representative government was developed. Hong Kong ushered into a new era with higher degree of democracy.
Before 1984, Hong Kong had limited progress of political modernization. In the early stage of British administration, the Hong Kong government was executive-led and the governor was the core of power. Members of Executive and Legislative Councils were appointed. Moreover, the majority was foreigners. Chinese had very limited representation. Only a few Chinese elites were appointed into the Councils. Nevertheless, they had no actual power, the centre of political power still lay in the governor’s hands. The British government also implemented a two-faced policy towards the Chinese. On one side, it did not interfere with Chinese affairs and retain Chinese traditional customs and culture. On the other side, it privileged the foreigners and discriminated against the local Chinese. Higher civil service positions were reserved for foreigners, whereas Chinese could only attain lower positions. The government was thus dominated by foreigners. There was a severe lack of democratic elements. Furthermore, the colonial government