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Marco Gao believes that in the century after the Opium War, the colonial nature of Hong Kong nurtured a group of local Chinese business elites. By the end of the 19th century, the colonial government regarded Chinese businessmen as allies in developing Hong Kong as a commercial center. The two were able to connect because they both believed in business opportunities everywhere in China. Chinese leaders and Hong Kong British authorities cooperated on issues of common concern, such as capitalist expansion, and providing political and economic strategies for a troubled China.
These Chinese elites also found business and commercial opportunities in this colonial framework. They used Hong Kong's strategic position to shape themselves into a unique community different from mainland businessmen. Nationalism in Hong Kong has its local characteristics. At the same time, by raising military funds for Britain, receiving visiting members of the British royal family, and attending trade exhibitions of the British Empire, Chinese elites helped Hong Kong become an active member of the British Empire.
In ""Hong Kong in the Cracks of the Empire"", Marco Gao explored major issues such as the meaning and impact of colonialism in modern history, and impartially placed Hong Kong in the context of Chinese history and British colonial history.
- AuthorMarco Gao, Liwei Lin
- PublisherHong Kong University Press
- Publication Date2021