The Rise of Hong Kong Identity and Political Conflicts in the Colony, 1949-1989: An Abstract

Presenter: Kent Wan (Confirmation milestone seminar)

My dissertation will examine how the rise of Hong Kong identity not only ensured the survival of British Hong Kong, but also led to the emergence of a local sense of belonging that centered on perpetual confrontations with the Chinese government. In addition to highlighting how I will utilize archival sources from Britain, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and the United States, my presentation will demonstrate my understanding of important secondary literature relating to Hong Kong studies. Besides providing a chapter breakdown of my dissertation, this presentation will explain how social-political changes in postwar Hong Kong led to the emergence of a local identity in the Crown Colony.