Keeping IT in the family : Beijing and the challenge of governing Hong Kong.

Abstract

Twelve years after the handover of Hong Kong to China, the territory remains a curious anomaly. Despite evidence showing that Hong Kong is gradually becoming more accepting of its being part of China, there is still resistance to full integration. However, this is a political problem rather than one of national identity. Since the July 1, 2003 protests in opposition to the Hong Kong government's attempt to pass an anti-subversion bill into law under the terms of Article 23 of the Basic Law, Beijing has taken a more active political role in the territory. It has attempted to increase its influence via the promotion of 'patriotic education' and the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution. Beijing has also attempted to build a coalition to further its aims through the use of 'united front' tactics. Ironically, this has only ended up exacerbating tensions between the two main factions in Hong Kong's political scene, the so-called 'pro-democracy' and 'pro-Beijing' camps.