When Britain and China negotiated the future of Hong Kong in the early 1980s, their primary concern was about maintaining the status quo. The rise of China in the last thirty years, however, has reshaped the Beijing-Hong Kong dynamic as new tensions and divisions have emerged. Thus, post-1997 Hong Kong is a case about a global city's democratic transition within an authoritarian state. The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Hong Kong introduces readers to these key social, economic, and political developments. Bringing together the work of leading researchers in the field, it focuses on the process of transition from a British colony to a Special Administrative Region under China's sovereign rule. Organized thematically, the sections covered include: 'One Country, Two Systems' in practice Governance in post-colonial Hong Kong Social mobilization The changing social fabric of Hong Kong society Socio-economic development and regional integration The future of Hong Kong. This book provides a thorough introduction to Hong Kong today. As such, it will be invaluable to students and scholars of Hong Kong's politics, culture and society. It will also be of interest to those studying Chinese political development and the impact of China's rise more generally.

In recent decades, China has undergone an extraordinary transformation from an overwhelmingly rural population to that of a predominantly urban one. This major new Handbook examines and explores the key features and implications of this urbanising process from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Using three overarching themes - progress and enhancement, dislocation and tension, and the unique features of Chinese urban development - leading experts in the field provide a contemporary analysis of critical issues affecting China today. This includes the nature of urban change, governance and migration, and how this has impacted the politics, culture, economy and environment. Unprecedented in depth and breadth, contributors both from within mainland China and across the globe offer varied analyses and perspectives of continuity and reform in policies that allow China to continue to evolve. Sections also cover individuality, the urban-rural interface and possible future policy directions, with crucial discussion about continuing urbanisation in an increasingly interconnected world. Essential reading for academics and students of urban and Chinese studies, this Handbook provides a timely and much needed reference work for those who want to better understand China's urbanisation experiences. Contributors include: A.-M. Broudehoux, Y. Cai, K.W. Chan, F. Chen, L. Chen, E. Cheng, H. Chiang, M.Y. Cho, B. Guan, D.R. Hammond, P. Hao, T. Heberer, T. Johnson, K. Kan, G. Lang, V.J. Li, S. Liu,Y. Liu, T.-l. Lui, B. Miao, J. Qian, L. Tao, J. Wang, L. Wang, B. Wissink, R.W.Y. Wong, Y. Wu, X. Yang, R. Yep, X. Zhang

Institutional changes in rural China caused by the economic reforms of the post-Mao era have led to a new pattern of state-society interaction in the rural polity. Central to this is the spectacular rise of a group of managerial elites. Contrary to economic predictors, this has been accompanied by the development of an interdependence between these managers and the state. This book provides an analysis of the new state-society relationship and demonstrates the complexity and fluidity involved in institutional development and market transformation.

When Britain and China negotiated the future of Hong Kong in the early 1980s, their primary concern was about maintaining the status quo. The rise of China in the last thirty years, however, has reshaped the Beijing-Hong Kong dynamic as new tensions and divisions have emerged. Thus, post-1997 Hong Kong is a case about a global city's democratic transition within an authoritarian state. The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Hong Kong introduces readers to these key social, economic, and political developments. Bringing together the work of leading researchers in the field, it focuses on the process of transition from a British colony to a Special Administrative Region under China's sovereign rule. Organized thematically, the sections covered include: 'One Country, Two Systems' in practice Governance in post-colonial Hong Kong Social mobilization The changing social fabric of Hong Kong society Socio-economic development and regional integration The future of Hong Kong. This book provides a thorough introduction to Hong Kong today. As such, it will be invaluable to students and scholars of Hong Kong's politics, culture and society. It will also be of interest to those studying Chinese political development and the impact of China's rise more generally.

Local autonomy is a complex and often contentious issue in many countries, not least because the situation often involves a process of continuous (re)negotiation. Moreover, the actual power relationship is defined not only by legal permissibility but also by such other factors as varying political perceptions, economic interests and previous encounters between the centre and periphery. This volume demonstrates that Hong Kong is a good illustration of the intricacies of the dynamic relationship in a Chinese context. The territory has a long history of pursuing its own path, both in colonial times and since 1997. With essays spanning both periods, the volume offers an understanding of the mind-set and actions of both Beijing and Hong Kong in pursuing their goals. It also provides a nuanced framework for evaluating central - local interaction in general.

Local autonomy is a complex and often contentious issue in many countries, not least because the situation often involves a process of continuous (re)negotiation. Moreover, the actual power relationship is defined not only by legal permissibility but also by such other factors as varying political perceptions, economic interests and previous encounters between the centre and periphery. This volume demonstrates that Hong Kong is a good illustration of the intricacies of the dynamic relationship in a Chinese context. The territory has a long history of pursuing its own path, both in colonial times and since 1997. With essays spanning both periods, the volume offers an understanding of the mind-set and actions of both Beijing and Hong Kong in pursuing their goals. It also provides a nuanced framework for evaluating central - local interaction in general.