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Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World: what China's Crackdown Reveals about Its Plans to End Freedom Everywhere
A gripping history of China's deteriorating relationship with Hong Kong, and its implications for the rest of the world.
For 150 years as a British colony, Hong Kong was a beacon of prosperity where people, money, and technology flowed freely, and residents enjoyed many civil liberties. In preparation for handing the territory over to China in 1997, Deng Xiaoping promised that it would remain highly autonomous for fifty years. An international treaty established a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with a far freer political system than that of Communist China―one with its own currency and government administration, a common-law legal system, and freedoms of press, speech, and religion.
But as the halfway mark of the SAR’s lifespan approaches in 2022, it is clear that China has not kept its word. Universal suffrage and free elections have not been instituted, harassment and brutality have become normalized, and activists are being jailed en masse. To make matters worse, a national security law that further crimps Hong Kong’s freedoms has recently been decreed in Beijing. This tragic backslide has dire worldwide implications―as China continues to expand its global influence, Hong Kong serves as a chilling preview of how dissenters could be treated in regions that fall under the emerging superpower’s control.
Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World tells the complete story of how a city once famed for protests so peaceful that toddlers joined grandparents in millions-strong rallies became a place where police have fired more than 10,000 rounds of tear gas, rubber bullets and even live ammunition at their neighbors, while pro-government hooligans attack demonstrators in the streets. A Hong Kong resident from 1992 to 2021, author Mark L. Clifford has witnessed this transformation firsthand. As a celebrated publisher and journalist, he has unrivaled access to the full range of the city’s society, from student protestors and political prisoners to aristocrats and senior government officials. A powerful and dramatic mix of history and on-the-ground reporting, this book is the definitive account of one of the most important geopolitical standoffs of our time.
For 150 years as a British colony, Hong Kong was a beacon of prosperity where people, money, and technology flowed freely, and residents enjoyed many civil liberties. In preparation for handing the territory over to China in 1997, Deng Xiaoping promised that it would remain highly autonomous for fifty years. An international treaty established a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with a far freer political system than that of Communist China―one with its own currency and government administration, a common-law legal system, and freedoms of press, speech, and religion.
But as the halfway mark of the SAR’s lifespan approaches in 2022, it is clear that China has not kept its word. Universal suffrage and free elections have not been instituted, harassment and brutality have become normalized, and activists are being jailed en masse. To make matters worse, a national security law that further crimps Hong Kong’s freedoms has recently been decreed in Beijing. This tragic backslide has dire worldwide implications―as China continues to expand its global influence, Hong Kong serves as a chilling preview of how dissenters could be treated in regions that fall under the emerging superpower’s control.
Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World tells the complete story of how a city once famed for protests so peaceful that toddlers joined grandparents in millions-strong rallies became a place where police have fired more than 10,000 rounds of tear gas, rubber bullets and even live ammunition at their neighbors, while pro-government hooligans attack demonstrators in the streets. A Hong Kong resident from 1992 to 2021, author Mark L. Clifford has witnessed this transformation firsthand. As a celebrated publisher and journalist, he has unrivaled access to the full range of the city’s society, from student protestors and political prisoners to aristocrats and senior government officials. A powerful and dramatic mix of history and on-the-ground reporting, this book is the definitive account of one of the most important geopolitical standoffs of our time.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2022
41 people are currently reading
2556 people want to read
About the author
Mark L. Clifford
8 books17 followersMARK L. CLIFFORD is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong and the former executive director of the Asia Business Council. He is editorial chair of the Asian Review of Books, a Council on Foreign Relations member, and a board member at Next Digital. He served as editor-in-chief of both English-language papers in Hong Kong, The Standard and the South China Morning Post. An honors history graduate of UC Berkeley and a Walter Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, he holds a University of Hong Kong Ph.D. in Hong Kong history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 15, 2022
Real Rating: 4.5* of five, rounded up because it's so damned urgent
The Publisher Says: A gripping history of China's deteriorating relationship with Hong Kong, and its implications for the rest of the world.
For 150 years as a British colony, Hong Kong was a beacon of prosperity where people, money, and technology flowed freely, and residents enjoyed many civil liberties. In preparation for handing the territory over to China in 1997, Deng Xiaoping promised that it would remain highly autonomous for fifty years. An international treaty established a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with a far freer political system than that of Communist China—one with its own currency and government administration, a common-law legal system, and freedoms of press, speech, and religion.
But as the halfway mark of the SAR’s lifespan approaches in 2022, it is clear that China has not kept its word. Universal suffrage and free elections have not been instituted, harassment and brutality have become normalized, and activists are being jailed en masse. To make matters worse, a national security law that further crimps Hong Kong’s freedoms has recently been decreed in Beijing. This tragic backslide has dire worldwide implications—as China continues to expand its global influence, Hong Kong serves as a chilling preview of how dissenters could be treated in regions that fall under the emerging superpower’s control.
Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World tells the complete story of how a city once famed for protests so peaceful that toddlers joined grandparents in millions-strong rallies became a place where police have fired more than 10,000 rounds of tear gas, rubber bullets and even live ammunition at their neighbors, while pro-government hooligans attack demonstrators in the streets. A Hong Kong resident from 1992 to 2021, author Mark L. Clifford has witnessed this transformation firsthand. As a celebrated publisher and journalist, he has unrivaled access to the full range of the city’s society, from student protestors and political prisoners to aristocrats and senior government officials. A powerful and dramatic mix of history and on-the-ground reporting, this book is the definitive account of one of the most important geopolitical standoffs of our time.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: It is, in light of China's Xi and Russia's Putin inking a deal for "world domination", beyond urgent that we listen to Author Clifford's personal experience on China's until-now slow, patient, and carefully deniable march towards world domination.
There are simply too many hyperlinks for me to fuss around with...if you'd like to read the rest of my review, please see it at my blog: https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/...
The Publisher Says: A gripping history of China's deteriorating relationship with Hong Kong, and its implications for the rest of the world.
For 150 years as a British colony, Hong Kong was a beacon of prosperity where people, money, and technology flowed freely, and residents enjoyed many civil liberties. In preparation for handing the territory over to China in 1997, Deng Xiaoping promised that it would remain highly autonomous for fifty years. An international treaty established a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with a far freer political system than that of Communist China—one with its own currency and government administration, a common-law legal system, and freedoms of press, speech, and religion.
But as the halfway mark of the SAR’s lifespan approaches in 2022, it is clear that China has not kept its word. Universal suffrage and free elections have not been instituted, harassment and brutality have become normalized, and activists are being jailed en masse. To make matters worse, a national security law that further crimps Hong Kong’s freedoms has recently been decreed in Beijing. This tragic backslide has dire worldwide implications—as China continues to expand its global influence, Hong Kong serves as a chilling preview of how dissenters could be treated in regions that fall under the emerging superpower’s control.
Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World tells the complete story of how a city once famed for protests so peaceful that toddlers joined grandparents in millions-strong rallies became a place where police have fired more than 10,000 rounds of tear gas, rubber bullets and even live ammunition at their neighbors, while pro-government hooligans attack demonstrators in the streets. A Hong Kong resident from 1992 to 2021, author Mark L. Clifford has witnessed this transformation firsthand. As a celebrated publisher and journalist, he has unrivaled access to the full range of the city’s society, from student protestors and political prisoners to aristocrats and senior government officials. A powerful and dramatic mix of history and on-the-ground reporting, this book is the definitive account of one of the most important geopolitical standoffs of our time.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: It is, in light of China's Xi and Russia's Putin inking a deal for "world domination", beyond urgent that we listen to Author Clifford's personal experience on China's until-now slow, patient, and carefully deniable march towards world domination.
There are simply too many hyperlinks for me to fuss around with...if you'd like to read the rest of my review, please see it at my blog: https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/...
April 16, 2022
my heart is in pieces. i am just. so devastated that the place i call home has turned into this.
February 1, 2022
Author Mark L. Clifford has put together an interesting offering, one that furnishes the reader with a story that encompasses history, current events, and what could come to pass. His views of Hong Kong are strengthened by the many years he lived there, learning not only about the opportunities for people and businesses, but also the culture of both Hong Kongers and those who reside and rule Mainland China.
My knowledge of Hong Kong was enhanced as Mr. Clifford told the story of Hong Kong and how it had evolved into an economic powerhouse. Unfortunately, as it was achieving this goal, the time approached for England to leave Hong Kong and allow China to take control of the city. The One Party Two Systems agreement, signed in 1984 and aimed to help allay fears of Hong Kong residents, was started down the road of slow dismantlement. The author provides many personal stories of residents and how China’s actions were more authoritarian than a government that was going to work closely with Hong Kong.
The Epilogue points out the actions of the Chinese government, tying in its efforts to not only rein in Hong Kong, but also other countries throughout the world. Examples range from bullying to outright coercion, and their techniques are at times hidden and at other times brazenly laid out for everyone to see. The warning signs are there, and Mr. Clifford offers reasons why there might be a shorter time for China’s leaders to accomplish their agenda. Will this push them to act rashly? Only time will tell.
“Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World” is an easy-to-understand book for those with little knowledge of this area of the world, and will help those more learned by providing personal insights. Definitely recommended for history buffs and those interested in current events. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary advance copy of this title.
My knowledge of Hong Kong was enhanced as Mr. Clifford told the story of Hong Kong and how it had evolved into an economic powerhouse. Unfortunately, as it was achieving this goal, the time approached for England to leave Hong Kong and allow China to take control of the city. The One Party Two Systems agreement, signed in 1984 and aimed to help allay fears of Hong Kong residents, was started down the road of slow dismantlement. The author provides many personal stories of residents and how China’s actions were more authoritarian than a government that was going to work closely with Hong Kong.
The Epilogue points out the actions of the Chinese government, tying in its efforts to not only rein in Hong Kong, but also other countries throughout the world. Examples range from bullying to outright coercion, and their techniques are at times hidden and at other times brazenly laid out for everyone to see. The warning signs are there, and Mr. Clifford offers reasons why there might be a shorter time for China’s leaders to accomplish their agenda. Will this push them to act rashly? Only time will tell.
“Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World” is an easy-to-understand book for those with little knowledge of this area of the world, and will help those more learned by providing personal insights. Definitely recommended for history buffs and those interested in current events. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary advance copy of this title.
January 14, 2022
This is a comprehensive look at Hong Kong - its past, present, and predictions for the future by author, Mark Clifford, who lived in Hong Kong for almost 30 years. The book dives straight into the heart of the city. It covers Hong Kong’s history, people and social, cultural, and economic conditions, and most importantly, politics and China’s authoritarian hand as it rapidly changes the goal posts and cracks down on the freedom of Hong Kongers. Having lived in Hong Kong for decades with intimate knowledge, familiarity, and connections the author vividly portrays the ongoing struggles of protesters fighting to make China adhere to the One Country Two Systems doctrine it signed in 1984 to take effect in 1997 and run for fifty years, when Hong Kong reverted to China. However, Hong Kong’s status as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, with supposed freedom of speech, press, and religion and the right to the rule of law is very much at stake given the events and tactics of the Chinese government over the past few years as it attempts to crush all and any protests. Beyond what’s happening in Hong Kong, the author also highlights China’s responses to other countries for incidents it views aimed at disgracing or discrediting the Chinese government. All this collectively points to China’s attempts to stem and influence freedom around the world. I found the book interesting, well written, chilling, and with useful insights from the many people on the ground. I’m surprised that the author was able to cover so much in this book - no mean feat. Hong Kong’s fate hangs in the balance. Where will it be in a few years from now? I’d highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about what’s at stake for Hong Kong. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 4, 2022
A Chilling Look at China’s Takeover of Hong Kong
Once a British colony, Hong Kong came under China’s control through an agreement signed in 1984. In the agreement Hong Kong was to have the status of a Special Administrative Region under China. Freedom of speech, the press, religion, and the rule if law were supposed to be guaranteed. However, China began to slowly dismantle these freedoms. The author points out numerous cases where this has happened and is still happening.
The chilling part of the narrative is that China is looking ahead to take over other regions such as Taiwan and the islands in the South China Sea. The book is an eye-opener. China has an aging population and as such needs to advance quickly while there are still young people capable of sustaining it’s military. The world can expect to see an increased suppression of freedom as China plots to take over other areas.
This is a very well done book. The author lived in Hong Kong for many years. He has first hand knowledge of what’s happening and how it’s affecting the people. I didn’t know much about Hong Kong and it’s relationship to China before reading this book. Now I feel much more aware of the problems not only Hong Kong, but the rest of the world is facing from China.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
Once a British colony, Hong Kong came under China’s control through an agreement signed in 1984. In the agreement Hong Kong was to have the status of a Special Administrative Region under China. Freedom of speech, the press, religion, and the rule if law were supposed to be guaranteed. However, China began to slowly dismantle these freedoms. The author points out numerous cases where this has happened and is still happening.
The chilling part of the narrative is that China is looking ahead to take over other regions such as Taiwan and the islands in the South China Sea. The book is an eye-opener. China has an aging population and as such needs to advance quickly while there are still young people capable of sustaining it’s military. The world can expect to see an increased suppression of freedom as China plots to take over other areas.
This is a very well done book. The author lived in Hong Kong for many years. He has first hand knowledge of what’s happening and how it’s affecting the people. I didn’t know much about Hong Kong and it’s relationship to China before reading this book. Now I feel much more aware of the problems not only Hong Kong, but the rest of the world is facing from China.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
Read
February 10, 2022This was an outstanding book on China's short-term and long-term planning, political systems, future plans, and end goals.
It was a very eye-opening book on the issues surrounding Hong Kong, the "one country, two systems" principle, and China's treatment to both its own citizens and other countries around the world.
Honestly, this was one of the best books on China that I have read lately.
An excellent companion read to City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong, Unfree Speech: The Threat to Global Democracy and Why We Must Act, Now, and of course, Freedom: How we lose it and how we fight back.
A highly recommended book - especially now with so many eyes on China during the Olympics.
5.0/5
It was a very eye-opening book on the issues surrounding Hong Kong, the "one country, two systems" principle, and China's treatment to both its own citizens and other countries around the world.
Honestly, this was one of the best books on China that I have read lately.
An excellent companion read to City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong, Unfree Speech: The Threat to Global Democracy and Why We Must Act, Now, and of course, Freedom: How we lose it and how we fight back.
A highly recommended book - especially now with so many eyes on China during the Olympics.
5.0/5
December 26, 2024
This is an excellent book about the destruction of democracy and resistance in Hong Kong. It’s a clear indication of what is to come, lest you think that China is somehow a benign force in the world. It’s angling for global power and also power over you. Read the book as a dire warning for the future.
Next up: Taiwan. That will happen before 2030, and I am not a crazy conspiracist. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Apr/24...
Next up: Taiwan. That will happen before 2030, and I am not a crazy conspiracist. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Apr/24...
January 21, 2022
If Hong Kong is the canary in the coal mine, next is Taiwan, and then?
An in-depth history of the 20th and 21st century impact on Hong Kong by the Chinese mainland as well as a hard look into living costs/conditions in Hong Kong by one who has lived and worked in Hong Kong for nearly thirty years. I learned a lot and recognized those warning bells. Well worth reading!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
An in-depth history of the 20th and 21st century impact on Hong Kong by the Chinese mainland as well as a hard look into living costs/conditions in Hong Kong by one who has lived and worked in Hong Kong for nearly thirty years. I learned a lot and recognized those warning bells. Well worth reading!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 26, 2021
Recently, St. Martin's Press reached out to me and invited me to examine an ARC of Mark L. Clifford's "Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World: What China's Crackdown Reveals About Its Plans To End Freedom Everywhere." My initial thought, based on a quick response to the title, was that it was likely to be of only marginal interest as I feared that it would lack balance and clarity. I am pleased to report that the wise reader will look closely at the subtitle to get a much better feel for what turned out to be a superb and very well informed treatment of events surrounding Hong Kong's return to the control of mainland China after more than a century of British control. This should not really surprise anyone familiar with Mark Clifford's work as a very distinguished and well thought of journalist with significant first hand exposure to what he writes of. By examining the underpinnings of Chinese fears about Hong Kong's loyalty and the economic means by which the Chinese have tried to manipulate events (with very uneven results). Clifford's analysis of the complexities of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and its relationship with the greater ambitions of the CCP is very useful to those of us who understand events in Hong Kong only in the decontextualized context of newsbites in the world of television news. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone seeking to contextualize, through a case study, their understanding of Chinese policy and its limitations and motivations.
October 9, 2023
I read the book and picked it up from my local library at the same time as Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World by Zak Dychtwald because both books were on the same display shelf.
I would like to give this book more stars because it is an important issue and the title is true yet the book is mostly 80% the history of Hong Kong dating back to the first Opium War from 1839-1842 where the British illegally imported Opium from China and China wanted this practice to stop while Britain did not and as a result of the Treaty of Nanking China ceded Hong Kong to Great Britain. The author cites the same historic events over and over.
The remaining 20% is about how China has not lived up to its promises to keep Hong Kong free with rights to suffrage, right to free speech, right to freedom of the press and right to due process to name a few as it said it would until 2047. Instead China began rolling back these rights in 1997 immediately after the handover.
Protests began immediately after and strengthened in 2014 and really gained steam in 2019 as pictures of protesters holding umbrellas to ward off tear gas shells were seen around the world. In January of 2020, before the pandemic broke out, I remember commenting to a former co-worker about the 1st and 2nd Amendments to our US Constitution and I posed this question, "How would the protests in Hong Kong and the recent protests in Venezuela have turned out differently if each had an armed citizenry?"
I give this book only 2 stars because the author uses the same arguments, and there are a handful and possibly up to ten, of how China is taking away rights in Hong Kong and of ethnic populations in mainland China like with Tibet and the Uyghurs and bullying other countries who don't play by China's rules, some examples from the book, Australia have imports banned, Philippines have pineapple imports banned after they complained about China militarizing the South China Sea, Japan and long fighting over an island and whether it belongs to China or Japan, Norway their Ambassador being threated for a Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to a Chinese citizen, Liu Xiaobo, who is in prison in China, the United States being bullied and called hypocrites for them having been a country that owned slaves up until 1863, Sweden being threatened for awarding Gui Minhai the Tucholsky Prize which is a journalism award for a writer or publisher who faces persecution or has been forced into exile.
Unfortunately the author cites the same events over and over and over again as evidence making the book much longer than it needed to be.
This is a very important book that I highly recommend because everyone should know what China has planned for the world and would love to give more stars and just cannot for the reasons above.
I would like to give this book more stars because it is an important issue and the title is true yet the book is mostly 80% the history of Hong Kong dating back to the first Opium War from 1839-1842 where the British illegally imported Opium from China and China wanted this practice to stop while Britain did not and as a result of the Treaty of Nanking China ceded Hong Kong to Great Britain. The author cites the same historic events over and over.
The remaining 20% is about how China has not lived up to its promises to keep Hong Kong free with rights to suffrage, right to free speech, right to freedom of the press and right to due process to name a few as it said it would until 2047. Instead China began rolling back these rights in 1997 immediately after the handover.
Protests began immediately after and strengthened in 2014 and really gained steam in 2019 as pictures of protesters holding umbrellas to ward off tear gas shells were seen around the world. In January of 2020, before the pandemic broke out, I remember commenting to a former co-worker about the 1st and 2nd Amendments to our US Constitution and I posed this question, "How would the protests in Hong Kong and the recent protests in Venezuela have turned out differently if each had an armed citizenry?"
I give this book only 2 stars because the author uses the same arguments, and there are a handful and possibly up to ten, of how China is taking away rights in Hong Kong and of ethnic populations in mainland China like with Tibet and the Uyghurs and bullying other countries who don't play by China's rules, some examples from the book, Australia have imports banned, Philippines have pineapple imports banned after they complained about China militarizing the South China Sea, Japan and long fighting over an island and whether it belongs to China or Japan, Norway their Ambassador being threated for a Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to a Chinese citizen, Liu Xiaobo, who is in prison in China, the United States being bullied and called hypocrites for them having been a country that owned slaves up until 1863, Sweden being threatened for awarding Gui Minhai the Tucholsky Prize which is a journalism award for a writer or publisher who faces persecution or has been forced into exile.
Unfortunately the author cites the same events over and over and over again as evidence making the book much longer than it needed to be.
This is a very important book that I highly recommend because everyone should know what China has planned for the world and would love to give more stars and just cannot for the reasons above.
June 29, 2022
I really wanted to read this book when I first heard of it. It took a while before my library had it.
I was in Hong Kong several times between 2017 and 2019, including October 2019 as the Beijing and the demonstrators wrestled for control. I could watch from my hotel window as the demarcation line formed. I was out and about when suspension of MTR services was announced. I listened to my Chinese and Hong Kong colleagues say what they were willing to say. And I pronounced that Beijing could not accept the 10 demands of the protestors and it wasn’t going to end well. It didn’t. And I knew this was a seminal moment in Hong Kong’s history.
Mark Clifford gives the story of that month and the demonstrations that preceded it. He interweaves Hong Kong’s history into the mix. And he covers what we’ve read about since.
I liked the book and advocate its reading by anyone with some familiarity (or interest) in Hong Kong, China, and the possible fate of Taiwan. Anyone who grasped the One Country, Two Systems slogan thinking Hong Kong wouldn’t change must recognize that change is now irreversible. The conferences I attended have moved to Singapore. The banks not tied to mainland China have moved too. The mainland Chinese companies that moved to Hong Kong in the years prior are reverting to their original offices in the mainland.
The Hong Kong we knew is gone and Mark Clifford gives us a first-person account of this transformation in clear and concise language. As a journalist he reported on it. He interviewed key figures on both sides, reported on legislative meetings and demonstrations, and tells us how liberal media was thwarted.
A solid story about Hong Kong and the concerns of people of Hong Kong.
I was in Hong Kong several times between 2017 and 2019, including October 2019 as the Beijing and the demonstrators wrestled for control. I could watch from my hotel window as the demarcation line formed. I was out and about when suspension of MTR services was announced. I listened to my Chinese and Hong Kong colleagues say what they were willing to say. And I pronounced that Beijing could not accept the 10 demands of the protestors and it wasn’t going to end well. It didn’t. And I knew this was a seminal moment in Hong Kong’s history.
Mark Clifford gives the story of that month and the demonstrations that preceded it. He interweaves Hong Kong’s history into the mix. And he covers what we’ve read about since.
I liked the book and advocate its reading by anyone with some familiarity (or interest) in Hong Kong, China, and the possible fate of Taiwan. Anyone who grasped the One Country, Two Systems slogan thinking Hong Kong wouldn’t change must recognize that change is now irreversible. The conferences I attended have moved to Singapore. The banks not tied to mainland China have moved too. The mainland Chinese companies that moved to Hong Kong in the years prior are reverting to their original offices in the mainland.
The Hong Kong we knew is gone and Mark Clifford gives us a first-person account of this transformation in clear and concise language. As a journalist he reported on it. He interviewed key figures on both sides, reported on legislative meetings and demonstrations, and tells us how liberal media was thwarted.
A solid story about Hong Kong and the concerns of people of Hong Kong.
August 5, 2022
Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World is an important book. Released early this year, this book details how China has ruthlessly taken control of Hong Kong and how quickly the pro-democracy supporters have been silenced within the past few years. The author makes observations about how China has handled dissent by people and countries around the world and relates these events to what could potentially happen in the future (spoiler: it's not looking good!).
The book starts from a historical perspective. It gives a great overview as to how Hong Kong got to where it was pre 1997, before the handover by the British. The latter portion of the book focuses on the past couple years. The author has a unique perspective as someone who worked for the largest newspaper company that was forcefully shut down within the past year.
This is a relevant-to-now book that does a great job breaking down key events within the past 20+ years. For that, I want to give this book a 5-star rating. My only issue with the book was that there was a lot of repetition in the 2nd half of the book- many of the same points that were made. It's not that I wanted more new information, I just felt that the book could have been shortened to be a bit more concise. As I got to the end, I wanted to read every word closely so as not to miss the most current information that the author provided but there was so much repeated info that I also wanted to skim through paragraphs.
Thank you St. Martin's press and author Mark Clifford for the publication of this book. I highly recommend it to all readers- it's easy to sit in a safe place and talk about this book. I commend the author and the publisher for making sure a book like this exists.
The book starts from a historical perspective. It gives a great overview as to how Hong Kong got to where it was pre 1997, before the handover by the British. The latter portion of the book focuses on the past couple years. The author has a unique perspective as someone who worked for the largest newspaper company that was forcefully shut down within the past year.
This is a relevant-to-now book that does a great job breaking down key events within the past 20+ years. For that, I want to give this book a 5-star rating. My only issue with the book was that there was a lot of repetition in the 2nd half of the book- many of the same points that were made. It's not that I wanted more new information, I just felt that the book could have been shortened to be a bit more concise. As I got to the end, I wanted to read every word closely so as not to miss the most current information that the author provided but there was so much repeated info that I also wanted to skim through paragraphs.
Thank you St. Martin's press and author Mark Clifford for the publication of this book. I highly recommend it to all readers- it's easy to sit in a safe place and talk about this book. I commend the author and the publisher for making sure a book like this exists.
June 18, 2023
My heart is heavy having just read this book. What a well researched and reflective book by Mark L. Clifford examining Hong Kong's situation, its political landscape and its history and what needs to be done in order to protect our freedoms and liberties as individual human beings. Tugged at my heartstrings...well worth the read to gain an understanding of China, its place in our world and what it has done to Hong Kong which serves as both a warning sign and stark reminder of how we must not take our own freedoms for granted, for they could be gone overnight.
These were some of my favourite quotes:
"But people in free countries everywhere can remember and support those in the city, whether in jail or free. They can help those who want to leave and restart their lives in other places. They can refuse to give aid and comfort or economic advantage to a country that wants to do to others what it has done to Hong Kong. They can support Hong Kongers who are keeping the spirit of their city alive during a dark time while they struggle for a brighter day, a day when Hong Kong people can enjoy the freedoms that were promised to them by China. The right to organise their own affairs by voting for their representatives, the right to keep their way of life, untroubled by the threat of arbitrary arrest, the right to think and act freely - this is what China promised the people of Hong Kong. It's what the people of Hong Kong have struggled for over a period of decades: Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong. That is the promise. That is the dream. And, despite everything, many Hong Kongers believe that is the destiny."
"Above all, we must keep memories alive and ensure that the people of Hong Kong are not forgotten."
These were some of my favourite quotes:
"But people in free countries everywhere can remember and support those in the city, whether in jail or free. They can help those who want to leave and restart their lives in other places. They can refuse to give aid and comfort or economic advantage to a country that wants to do to others what it has done to Hong Kong. They can support Hong Kongers who are keeping the spirit of their city alive during a dark time while they struggle for a brighter day, a day when Hong Kong people can enjoy the freedoms that were promised to them by China. The right to organise their own affairs by voting for their representatives, the right to keep their way of life, untroubled by the threat of arbitrary arrest, the right to think and act freely - this is what China promised the people of Hong Kong. It's what the people of Hong Kong have struggled for over a period of decades: Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong. That is the promise. That is the dream. And, despite everything, many Hong Kongers believe that is the destiny."
"Above all, we must keep memories alive and ensure that the people of Hong Kong are not forgotten."
March 9, 2022
When Hong Kong was returned to Mainland China I was wondering how long it would be before China would renege on the agreement. Will this be a precursor to what can happen to Taiwan? After reading this very well researched history of how this happened to Hong Kong I wish everyone would read it. Given the present world situation Hong Kong and Taiwan will just be the beginning.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 11, 2024
"China wants to be taken seriously as a responsible power. Yet today it pursues tactics befitting a rogue state."
Mark Clifford pens an infuriating but required-reading book in 'Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World'. The book discusses Hong Kong in the context of the 2010s mass protests and subsequent National Security Law in 2020, but also provides a well-rounded look at Hong Kong's history, both during British colonial times and after the 1997 return to China.
There are many books about China out there; not all of them are written by qualified people. Mark Clifford fits the bill as being qualified to discuss Hong Kong and its recent deterioration as a 'free city' at the hands of mainland Chinese pressure - from being a Hong Kong resident, to participating in the aforementioned protests, to being involved in higher-level journalism and business that enabled access to some of the city's most important people, the author has a valuable perspective.
I will admit I did not purchase this book for a while because the title made me think it would be a paranoid manifesto explaining how China is going to take over the world in five years and everyone will be doomed. This is precisely the opposite - the book is grounded in fact and research, and uses observed current events and common sense thinking to explain how and why China is a threat even if you're half a world away. Maybe not due to outright invasion, but certainly by other forms of coercion and manipulation.
"China nurtures a sense of victimhood, embarrassing itself by flouting international conventions. This behavior is not only unseemly in a great power but a danger to the world."
Clifford's book is ultimately an explanation of how Hong Kong has been suppressed from a globally-central city at the turn of the millennium to yet another case study in China Communist Party (CCP) aggression and suppression. The aforementioned National Security Law, giving authorities almost no reason required to imprison someone, remains of particular concern. The CCP is using similar, albeit less heavy-handed, tactics in Hong Kong that it has used and continues to use in Tibet and Xinjiang. In all three cases, the goal is an eradication of local culture and dominance of 'mainland Chinese' culture, not to mention unwavering party loyalty. The hope for a democratic Hong Kong has never felt further away.
This is not an alarmist book. Mark Clifford has done an excellent job tracing the rise of Hong Kong and its current downtrend due to the CCP. This is a book that I imagine would land on the CCP's list of banned books, if it hasn't already, and Clifford has already suffered coercion by the party (forced to resign positions, for example) even before releasing this book. That alone tells me this is a book that deserves reading - if the CCP doesn't want you to read it, you should definitely read it.
Five stars for a book that made me sad for Hong Kongers, angry at the China Communist Party, and somber for Hong Kong's future as anything other than another territory the CCP will continue to crush.
Mark Clifford pens an infuriating but required-reading book in 'Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World'. The book discusses Hong Kong in the context of the 2010s mass protests and subsequent National Security Law in 2020, but also provides a well-rounded look at Hong Kong's history, both during British colonial times and after the 1997 return to China.
There are many books about China out there; not all of them are written by qualified people. Mark Clifford fits the bill as being qualified to discuss Hong Kong and its recent deterioration as a 'free city' at the hands of mainland Chinese pressure - from being a Hong Kong resident, to participating in the aforementioned protests, to being involved in higher-level journalism and business that enabled access to some of the city's most important people, the author has a valuable perspective.
I will admit I did not purchase this book for a while because the title made me think it would be a paranoid manifesto explaining how China is going to take over the world in five years and everyone will be doomed. This is precisely the opposite - the book is grounded in fact and research, and uses observed current events and common sense thinking to explain how and why China is a threat even if you're half a world away. Maybe not due to outright invasion, but certainly by other forms of coercion and manipulation.
"China nurtures a sense of victimhood, embarrassing itself by flouting international conventions. This behavior is not only unseemly in a great power but a danger to the world."
Clifford's book is ultimately an explanation of how Hong Kong has been suppressed from a globally-central city at the turn of the millennium to yet another case study in China Communist Party (CCP) aggression and suppression. The aforementioned National Security Law, giving authorities almost no reason required to imprison someone, remains of particular concern. The CCP is using similar, albeit less heavy-handed, tactics in Hong Kong that it has used and continues to use in Tibet and Xinjiang. In all three cases, the goal is an eradication of local culture and dominance of 'mainland Chinese' culture, not to mention unwavering party loyalty. The hope for a democratic Hong Kong has never felt further away.
This is not an alarmist book. Mark Clifford has done an excellent job tracing the rise of Hong Kong and its current downtrend due to the CCP. This is a book that I imagine would land on the CCP's list of banned books, if it hasn't already, and Clifford has already suffered coercion by the party (forced to resign positions, for example) even before releasing this book. That alone tells me this is a book that deserves reading - if the CCP doesn't want you to read it, you should definitely read it.
Five stars for a book that made me sad for Hong Kongers, angry at the China Communist Party, and somber for Hong Kong's future as anything other than another territory the CCP will continue to crush.
April 5, 2022
As someone who grew up in Hong Kong, I read this book with tears in my eyes. It breaks my heart to see this beautiful city being trampled upon by thugs.
For the past few years, China has become even more of a surveillance state – thanks to help from companies like Google and Microsoft – and has intensified its oppression and persecution of people it deems unacceptable – Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, the Uyghur minorities, as well as the people of Tibet.
And in this formerly free city of Hong Kong, China has broken every promise it made in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Citizens have been jailed without cause, including multimillionaire and prominent Catholic Jimmy Lai, newspapers are forced to close, and anyone who even dares to think differently or deviates from the line of the Chinese Communist Party is forced to leave their home, if they are able to leave.
With Carrie Lam stepping down as Chief Executive, the next Chief Executive will be even more of a puppet. What China is doing in Xinjiang to its Uyghur minorities, it will now carry out the same policy in Hong Kong.
While the world has been quick to condemn Putin and Russia, governments and media, even the Vatican, have been relatively silent to China’s abuse on human rights, freedom, and dignity of human persons.
When it comes to China, the world appears to be going on with a business-as-usual attitude. We continue to trade with them, educate their young people, and even give them the honour of hosting the Olympics. All while Chinese citizens are jailed, harvested for organ transplants – for commercial gain – or killed.
Russia and China think and operate according to the same playbook. They respect brute force and view sanctions and negotiations as a sign of weakness. The Russian incursion into Ukraine is a case in point and one that will have long-term consequences on the entire world. And in many ways, China is an even more significant threat to the world because of its greater economic clout.
If we continue to think only of economics – Russia’s oil and gas, and the toaster ovens, cell phones, and computers we can get so cheaply from China – it may be too late when we finally wake up to China’s naked ambition.
Why does Hong Kong matter? Hong Kong matters because Hong Kong is like the 21st century's East Berlin, where the battle between the forces of good and evil are being fought. Will good one day prevail? Can the Chinese Communist Party be brought down? Will, as the author writes, the spirit of Hong Kong live on?
While I would like to be optimistic, I am not certain these things will come to pass in my lifetime. Yes, no forces, no matter how powerful, would last forever. I am still naive enough to think that good will triumph over evil. But we do have to think according to God's timetable, not man's.
I pray for the people of Hong Kong.
For the past few years, China has become even more of a surveillance state – thanks to help from companies like Google and Microsoft – and has intensified its oppression and persecution of people it deems unacceptable – Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, the Uyghur minorities, as well as the people of Tibet.
And in this formerly free city of Hong Kong, China has broken every promise it made in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Citizens have been jailed without cause, including multimillionaire and prominent Catholic Jimmy Lai, newspapers are forced to close, and anyone who even dares to think differently or deviates from the line of the Chinese Communist Party is forced to leave their home, if they are able to leave.
With Carrie Lam stepping down as Chief Executive, the next Chief Executive will be even more of a puppet. What China is doing in Xinjiang to its Uyghur minorities, it will now carry out the same policy in Hong Kong.
While the world has been quick to condemn Putin and Russia, governments and media, even the Vatican, have been relatively silent to China’s abuse on human rights, freedom, and dignity of human persons.
When it comes to China, the world appears to be going on with a business-as-usual attitude. We continue to trade with them, educate their young people, and even give them the honour of hosting the Olympics. All while Chinese citizens are jailed, harvested for organ transplants – for commercial gain – or killed.
Russia and China think and operate according to the same playbook. They respect brute force and view sanctions and negotiations as a sign of weakness. The Russian incursion into Ukraine is a case in point and one that will have long-term consequences on the entire world. And in many ways, China is an even more significant threat to the world because of its greater economic clout.
If we continue to think only of economics – Russia’s oil and gas, and the toaster ovens, cell phones, and computers we can get so cheaply from China – it may be too late when we finally wake up to China’s naked ambition.
Why does Hong Kong matter? Hong Kong matters because Hong Kong is like the 21st century's East Berlin, where the battle between the forces of good and evil are being fought. Will good one day prevail? Can the Chinese Communist Party be brought down? Will, as the author writes, the spirit of Hong Kong live on?
While I would like to be optimistic, I am not certain these things will come to pass in my lifetime. Yes, no forces, no matter how powerful, would last forever. I am still naive enough to think that good will triumph over evil. But we do have to think according to God's timetable, not man's.
I pray for the people of Hong Kong.
July 22, 2025
I feel like the preface to this book should have started with: Mark Clifford, the author, is an American who moved to Hong Kong. He was a non-executive director of Apple, Hong Kong’s second (or largest) newspaper which was eventually shut down by the Chinese government. It would have added context.
This is not strictly an academic book but a retelling of Hong Kong between 2014 - Sept 2021 (when the author was going to publish). Briefly, Hong Kong was colonised by the British while being part of Hong Kong. The British returned Hong Kong in 1997. Before that, they allowed some limited form of elections which was 60-40 (pro-independence/freedom vs pro-China).
The result of the election was shocking as the elites (business elites) are more pro-China / circumspect when dealing with China. There’s some parts about the oppression of the lower income: they have no elections (and no voice); there is an aversion to discussion. There is also mention that there was no compulsory education in HK for many years.
Hong Kong had a distinct identity (Cantonese Hong Kong) which is contrasted against communist China. The Beijing government opposes this.
And here, there’s a useful contrast - rule of law (which governs the government too) vs rule of law (government is exempt). The concept of lawfare is also significant: trumped up charges, a maze of bureaucracy. Passing the National Security Law, which is vague and allows considerable freedom for the government. The corresponding chilling effect: there is a hesitance to dealing with blacklisted companies.
The author goes into how China defines its own truth too, or refuses to abide by international law.
Generally the material is good and important. I do think it needed a stronger editor - we have too many mentions of Jimmy Lai going to HK as a twelve year old. Chapter 13 could have been split into two different topics - one on transition of power and the other on art and film. Each chapter’s topic - especially Part IV - seems to overlap and could have been neatened.
3.5/5
This is not strictly an academic book but a retelling of Hong Kong between 2014 - Sept 2021 (when the author was going to publish). Briefly, Hong Kong was colonised by the British while being part of Hong Kong. The British returned Hong Kong in 1997. Before that, they allowed some limited form of elections which was 60-40 (pro-independence/freedom vs pro-China).
The result of the election was shocking as the elites (business elites) are more pro-China / circumspect when dealing with China. There’s some parts about the oppression of the lower income: they have no elections (and no voice); there is an aversion to discussion. There is also mention that there was no compulsory education in HK for many years.
Hong Kong had a distinct identity (Cantonese Hong Kong) which is contrasted against communist China. The Beijing government opposes this.
And here, there’s a useful contrast - rule of law (which governs the government too) vs rule of law (government is exempt). The concept of lawfare is also significant: trumped up charges, a maze of bureaucracy. Passing the National Security Law, which is vague and allows considerable freedom for the government. The corresponding chilling effect: there is a hesitance to dealing with blacklisted companies.
The author goes into how China defines its own truth too, or refuses to abide by international law.
Generally the material is good and important. I do think it needed a stronger editor - we have too many mentions of Jimmy Lai going to HK as a twelve year old. Chapter 13 could have been split into two different topics - one on transition of power and the other on art and film. Each chapter’s topic - especially Part IV - seems to overlap and could have been neatened.
3.5/5
October 23, 2022
If you don’t understand why the demonstrations that are still occurring in Hong Kong, despite the lack of Western media attention, then you need to read this book. The author is highly qualified to author such a work, with just some of his credentials being a Ph.D in history from University of Hong Kong, and editor of both The South China Morning Post and The Standard, both Hong Kong newspapers.
The author gives us a background on Hong Kong, and how it was colonized and administered by the British, then through the return of the island back to the PRC in 1997. The Chinese Communist Party made many promises to the people of Hong Kong, none of which were put in place. The people of Hong Kong have watched as their rights have been taken away, and any sign of protest is met with harsh retaliation. Xi Jin Ping wants to reunite all Chinese people under one flag, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. The CCP doesn’t care about independent states, culture, history, or frankly the rest of the world’s opinions. We’ve seen this happen to Tibetans and now the Uyghurs. If the PRC is this brutal with their own citizens, how will they treat anyone else?
As a lifelong student of history and East Asia, I found this book absolutely fascinating and full of truths. In the West we used to constantly call China out for its violations of human rights, but today it seems like we are more interested in making a buck while China continues the harsh treatment of its citizens. China is ready to take on the role of a superpower. We must remain vigilant. I recommend this book to those who enjoy history, current events, and anything about China.
I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author.
The author gives us a background on Hong Kong, and how it was colonized and administered by the British, then through the return of the island back to the PRC in 1997. The Chinese Communist Party made many promises to the people of Hong Kong, none of which were put in place. The people of Hong Kong have watched as their rights have been taken away, and any sign of protest is met with harsh retaliation. Xi Jin Ping wants to reunite all Chinese people under one flag, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. The CCP doesn’t care about independent states, culture, history, or frankly the rest of the world’s opinions. We’ve seen this happen to Tibetans and now the Uyghurs. If the PRC is this brutal with their own citizens, how will they treat anyone else?
As a lifelong student of history and East Asia, I found this book absolutely fascinating and full of truths. In the West we used to constantly call China out for its violations of human rights, but today it seems like we are more interested in making a buck while China continues the harsh treatment of its citizens. China is ready to take on the role of a superpower. We must remain vigilant. I recommend this book to those who enjoy history, current events, and anything about China.
I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author.
March 22, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Hong Kong was a unique place in Chinese history. For over 100 years it had freedom that the rest of China did not. It had prosperity and hope. It had civil liberties unheard of in mainland China. But it had a time limit on it. While China promised everything would remain intact, that was a lie. Something the world has come to expect from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They are dishonest. They are patient and long-sighted. They are masters of deceit.
While Hong Kong flourished and its citizens worked hard to create wealth, created a work ethic beyond expectations, while the world was investing in it, the Communist state was planning its future in their image. Not the image of its residents or investors.
As the takeover by China that ended 150 years of British sovereignty took place, the CCP enacted its mainland tactics. Bullying, harassment, incarcerations, beatings and death ensued.
Mr. Clifford paints a picture of the real China that should frighten and warn everyone everywhere that they are not safe from China’s aggression and plans for world. In plain language China wants to be the world power with complete control over everything.
You need to read this book to understand the threat China imposes. We cannot stop what we don’t understand. This book will help you understand. I highly recommend Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World to anyone interested in the future of freedom.
Hong Kong was a unique place in Chinese history. For over 100 years it had freedom that the rest of China did not. It had prosperity and hope. It had civil liberties unheard of in mainland China. But it had a time limit on it. While China promised everything would remain intact, that was a lie. Something the world has come to expect from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They are dishonest. They are patient and long-sighted. They are masters of deceit.
While Hong Kong flourished and its citizens worked hard to create wealth, created a work ethic beyond expectations, while the world was investing in it, the Communist state was planning its future in their image. Not the image of its residents or investors.
As the takeover by China that ended 150 years of British sovereignty took place, the CCP enacted its mainland tactics. Bullying, harassment, incarcerations, beatings and death ensued.
Mr. Clifford paints a picture of the real China that should frighten and warn everyone everywhere that they are not safe from China’s aggression and plans for world. In plain language China wants to be the world power with complete control over everything.
You need to read this book to understand the threat China imposes. We cannot stop what we don’t understand. This book will help you understand. I highly recommend Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World to anyone interested in the future of freedom.
December 20, 2021
Based on the information in this book, you can see how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) plans on integrating Hong Kong into their future plans. Slowly, all of the promises that the CCP made to HK in 1997, to protect their "special" situation. But as they have done in Tibet, and are now doing in Xinjiang. Xi Jinping has an agenda that has non-Han areas absorbed by Red China. The population of China is aging, and in ten years the population will have aged to the point their military will begin to shrink.
Because of the aging he knows that he has to gain control of Taiwan very soon. He understands that if he doesn't control HK, Taiwan, Tibet, the islands of the South China Sea, they will become difficult to have any chance of being able to fold them into Red China. Xi fears that what happened in Russia (USSR) in 1989 will happen to China. More than anything he fears that minorities will become the majority of the population and they will become an enemy within.
If you question this scenario, look how they forced all pro-west candidates off the ballot in HK, and this resulted in only 30% of the voting public to vote for their slate. Xi doesn't care what anyone in the West says, they will continue until anything that makes HK unique disappears.
Because of the aging he knows that he has to gain control of Taiwan very soon. He understands that if he doesn't control HK, Taiwan, Tibet, the islands of the South China Sea, they will become difficult to have any chance of being able to fold them into Red China. Xi fears that what happened in Russia (USSR) in 1989 will happen to China. More than anything he fears that minorities will become the majority of the population and they will become an enemy within.
If you question this scenario, look how they forced all pro-west candidates off the ballot in HK, and this resulted in only 30% of the voting public to vote for their slate. Xi doesn't care what anyone in the West says, they will continue until anything that makes HK unique disappears.
January 4, 2023
An informative book that contextualizes the Hong Kong-China relationship and the current threat that Hong Kong faces from Beijing. I particularly appreciated the historical approach taken at the beginning of the book that emphasizes the hypocrisy and malicious intent the Chinese government has demonstrated towards Hong Kong starting from before the 1997 handover. One critique is that I found the tone to be slightly heavy-handed and over-generalized at some points. For instance, Clifford writes that China is completely unable to even understand the concepts of freedom and democratic rule. In my view, there ought to be more nuance, in that China can completely understand those concepts but chooses to disparage them, which is what makes CCP propaganda so effective. Moreover, there tended to be some unnecessary repetition in terms of conceptual explanation (e.g. the Basic Law was explained perhaps four times in different places). Also, the last chapter was a bit disjointed and sloppily compiled in terms of examples and logic. Overall, a decent read--would recommend for anyone who wants to gain a basic baseline knowledge about Hong Kong's recent history and politics.
September 18, 2025
I knew things weren't great in Hong Kong. I knew the regime in China was cruel and autocratic, and becoming only more so. What I didn't appreciate was that Hong Kong's forced assimilation into Chinese language, culture, ideology and identity have been carried out so deliberately and, in many cases, crudely.
I also didn't before appreciate that Hong Kong is a test run for Taiwan.
Hong Kong doesn't get the attention it deserves from the rest of the world, in my opinion. And, maybe, as Mr. Clifford suggests in Part IV of the book, it's already too late to save this once free (if never democratic) city. Maybe the best we can do is support the refugees that flee to escape Chinese rule.
My hope is that Mr. Clifford's long term optimism as expressed at the end of Chapter 13 will prove more prescient, that "[e]ven a National Security Law, a patriotic education campaign, a hotline to snitch on neighbors and colleagues, purges of teachers and journalists, loyalty oaths for government officials, elections that are delayed and rigged, and the jailing of nonviolent political dissidents won't be enough to extinguish Hong Kong's fight for freedom."
I also didn't before appreciate that Hong Kong is a test run for Taiwan.
Hong Kong doesn't get the attention it deserves from the rest of the world, in my opinion. And, maybe, as Mr. Clifford suggests in Part IV of the book, it's already too late to save this once free (if never democratic) city. Maybe the best we can do is support the refugees that flee to escape Chinese rule.
My hope is that Mr. Clifford's long term optimism as expressed at the end of Chapter 13 will prove more prescient, that "[e]ven a National Security Law, a patriotic education campaign, a hotline to snitch on neighbors and colleagues, purges of teachers and journalists, loyalty oaths for government officials, elections that are delayed and rigged, and the jailing of nonviolent political dissidents won't be enough to extinguish Hong Kong's fight for freedom."
February 12, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was an intriguing book. Though much is factual and verifiable, there’s a clearly defined perspective- journalist, outsider, local. Though the opinion is obviously his own, it’s based on enough fact to clearly support his view. The background fleshed out the conflict between western ideals of freedoms and mainland Chinese beliefs of Nationalism, laying the groundwork to follow the experience; the beginning of the culture clash coming to a head. That the promise of sovereignty promised upon the return to China after the end of British colonial rule would not be kept, and the government grasped at ways to move forward, which will ultimately fail in keeping the promises for the people of Hong Kong. I found this to be insightful and informative, and very timely given the current political situation.
This was an intriguing book. Though much is factual and verifiable, there’s a clearly defined perspective- journalist, outsider, local. Though the opinion is obviously his own, it’s based on enough fact to clearly support his view. The background fleshed out the conflict between western ideals of freedoms and mainland Chinese beliefs of Nationalism, laying the groundwork to follow the experience; the beginning of the culture clash coming to a head. That the promise of sovereignty promised upon the return to China after the end of British colonial rule would not be kept, and the government grasped at ways to move forward, which will ultimately fail in keeping the promises for the people of Hong Kong. I found this to be insightful and informative, and very timely given the current political situation.
April 6, 2022
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a somewhat insider view of Hong Long following the Chinese takeover from Britain in 1997. It gives good historical background on Hong King’s place in Asia and explains the transition from colonial British territory to now Chinese city. Clifford lived in Hong Kong for about 20 years, and so has a very particular view of what has happened in the transition—that view is wholly negative. It is backed up with facts, of course, but it’s by no means objective, so while I think this is a good primer for people trying to get a sense of Hong Kong, further reading will be needed to truly understand what’s happening.
This is a somewhat insider view of Hong Long following the Chinese takeover from Britain in 1997. It gives good historical background on Hong King’s place in Asia and explains the transition from colonial British territory to now Chinese city. Clifford lived in Hong Kong for about 20 years, and so has a very particular view of what has happened in the transition—that view is wholly negative. It is backed up with facts, of course, but it’s by no means objective, so while I think this is a good primer for people trying to get a sense of Hong Kong, further reading will be needed to truly understand what’s happening.
April 6, 2023
-Started reading this book in order to increase my knowledge about the Chinese regime, since I find the Norwegian and the English press to be very one sided. In addition to having more productive conversation with people about the topic of the Chinese regime, rather than who is the "Evil One" and the "Good One".
-Learned a lot about the conflicts between China and it's neighbors. I knew that China abused trade agreements in order to show their economic power, but not that Japan and Australia would react strongly to this by helping the weaker nations like the Philippines. For example, Japan would buy pineapples from the Philippines instead of China, as a reaction to China trying to restrain their trade agreements to the Philippines, in order to show their economic dominance.
-Learned a lot about the conflicts between China and it's neighbors. I knew that China abused trade agreements in order to show their economic power, but not that Japan and Australia would react strongly to this by helping the weaker nations like the Philippines. For example, Japan would buy pineapples from the Philippines instead of China, as a reaction to China trying to restrain their trade agreements to the Philippines, in order to show their economic dominance.
October 11, 2022
80% of the book is "Today Hong Kong". It spread across history for 70 years so the history in 2019-2022 is not detailed enough.
The 20% of the book is "Tomorrow the World". But these last chapters are a bit too rush and compact for listing many headlines in the world. It may not have a clear flow to draw the conclusion Today Hong Kong Tomorrow the World. Hong Kong has its very unique history which flows to the protest and the final NSL. So it may be difficult to then conclude "Tomorrow the World".
Still, this will be an important book to study Hong Kong history capturing facts that should carry forward.
The 20% of the book is "Tomorrow the World". But these last chapters are a bit too rush and compact for listing many headlines in the world. It may not have a clear flow to draw the conclusion Today Hong Kong Tomorrow the World. Hong Kong has its very unique history which flows to the protest and the final NSL. So it may be difficult to then conclude "Tomorrow the World".
Still, this will be an important book to study Hong Kong history capturing facts that should carry forward.
February 7, 2022
From what the world has experienced from the actions of China on various occasions, it is clear that the country has only goals of power for itself and ideas of claiming back the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong under it’s communist rule. Mark Clifford has done a superb job here from providing a brief history of Hong Kong’s past to information on the current suppression of human rights there. Not only is Hong Kong being deprived of democracy but will the rest of the world who believe in it and it’s freedoms be deprived too? An important book for those who keep up with current events.
April 26, 2022
I really enjoyed the book. However, I was quite surprised that the book was very history-heavy. Regardless, the historical details were informative and provided a comprehensive view of China, Hong Kong, and the relationship between the two. I particularly liked all the first hand experiences that Clifford tells us, including the testimony of his friends and their horrific experiences. The book included a few pages of photographs, which were a nice addition.
February 5, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this work.
This is must-reading in today's world. The author did his homework! To understand today's world means you have to understand China. This history will help enormously. The author lived in Hong Kong and offers us an insightful look at the past/current and future of this part of the world.
Highly recommend.
This is must-reading in today's world. The author did his homework! To understand today's world means you have to understand China. This history will help enormously. The author lived in Hong Kong and offers us an insightful look at the past/current and future of this part of the world.
Highly recommend.
September 14, 2022
Clifford expertly dissects China's hegemonic geopolitical designs. China's takeover of Hong Kong serves as a template for their ambitions in other parts of the world. As a former Hong Konger I was spellbound by Clifford's in-depth knowledge and understanding of Asian history. Very well written, accessible, and insightful.
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