Farewell, My Colony: Last Days in the Life of British Hong Kong [Paperback]

On July 1, 1997, the red flag of China was hoisted over Hong Kong  and the untried idea of one country, two systems was put into practice. Farewell, My Colony is a real-time journal of the end of an era. American journalist Todd Crowell captures a unique moment in history as Britain soldiers through the last months of its colonial rule, China waits restlessly to resume its sovereignty, and Hong Kong buzzes with speculation.In the heart of Beijing, a large digital clock marked off the seconds until July 1, 1997, when the red, five-star flag of China would be hoisted over Hong Kong  and the grand but untried idea of one country, two systems would be put into practice. Farewell, My Colony is a real-time journal of the end of an era by an objective observer. American journalist Todd Crowell captures a unique moment in history as Britain stoically soldiers through the last months of its 156 years of colonial rule, China waits restlessly to resume its sovereignty, and Hong Kong buzzes with endless speculation. He tells how Hong Kongs Chinese and expatriates, taipans and cagemen come to terms with the impending change of rule. He mingles with the rich and famous and common people alike. A long-term resident, he votes in elections controversially called by Governor Chris Patten. He then follows the selection of a rival legislature, and of Pattens successor, shipping magnate Tung Chee-hwa, as the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The citys pulse is charted by his pen, through to the pomp, circumstance and partying of the day of handover itself. Now, 20 years later, Crowell has updated this valuable historical record with reflections on what has happened to Hong Kong since 1997.Preface to the 2017 editionIntroductionSeptember 1995: An election in Hong Kongthe incredible shrinking governormany ways to fix an election systemJanuary 1996: The shrinking harborWho will be Hong Kongs first Chinese chief executive?the old BrlĂ2