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A TALE OF TWO CITIES (part I)
June 3, 2001
This is not the novel authored by Charles Dickens, (1812-1870). However, the theme of the two gentlemen who looked alike in the book was highly interesting. That seems to have something in common with two modern cities in China, namely - Hongkong and Shanghai.
Hongkong was first occupied by UK in 1841 and ceded to them in the next year as a result of the infamous Opium War. In this Treaty of Nanking, signed on board of British man-of-war "Cornwallis" on August 29, 1842, the land lost was only the first step in the loss of Hongkong (Shanghai was also forced to open its gate as an international trade port in the same treaty). In 1860, because a Chinese owned ship flying British flag was boarded by Manchu soldiers who tore down the flag and a French priest was killed by local officials in Kwongxi province, the British and the French organized a combined expeditionary force to seek revenge and additional benefits in this 2nd Opium War (1857-60). The Manchu Dynasty was further greatly humiliated and suffered a big loss including the looting of Yi Ho Yuan (Summer Palace of the emperor). Lord Elgin subsequently ordered the palace to be burned to cover up such piratical behaviors of their soldiers. Aside from other shameful terms, Kowloon was ceded to UK. That was the second step of wresting Hongkong away from China. Since the British wanted to further expand the area, another lease agreement was reached to acquire the so-called New Territory for 99 years (1898 - 1987), which comprised the third part of Hongkong
With its good harbor facilities and strategic position, Hong Kong has since served as the number one export seaport of southern China. Because of civil wars, many wealthy Chinese came to this haven with capital and technical know-how, while a large number of penniless Chinese refugees arrived to serve the growing industries as cheap labor. Being isolated by her own policy and the containment policy of USA, communist China had relied heavily on Hongkong as its import and export entrepot until Shanghai's rebirth after the inception of "reform and opening" age.
It may be interesting for the reader to know that these two cities--Hongkong is principally Cantonese, but with a very strong team of Shanghainese in its economic activities, particularly in the textile industry which was instrumental to the early Hongkong prosperity. Equally, there is a strong Kwongdong (Cantonese) "gang" in Shanghai, who were very active in the city's international trade. Both geographical groups keep their own culture or traditions (cusine, dialect....etc). And there isn't any discrimination, alienation, or disturbances among them.
E-mail: VJCHANG@hotmail.com
Tel/Fax USA : (301) 438-7439
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