Political and Institutional Changes of Hong Kong

Political and Institutional Changes of Hong Kong

Time allocated: 7.5 Periods (40 minutes per period)

Teaching and Learning Background
To be conducted in the second term of Secondary Four. There are about 40 students in the class.
Students’ ability is relatively weak and diverse, with inadequate concentration power and relatively weak generalising and analysing ability. Their memory and ability to express are not strong either. However, classroom order is good, and students are willing to listen to and to copy what the teacher teaches. Yet they are not particularly willing to express their opinions.
Students are used to forming into groups and are confident in handling relatively simple and direct tasks.
In Secondary 3, students have learnt briefly the historical background leading to the opening of Hong Kong as a port.

Teaching Objectives
To enable students to understand features of Hong Kong’s politics from early 20th century to 1997.
To enable students to understand major trends of institutional development in Hong Kong from early 20th century to 1997.
To enable students, through classroom activities, to explore factors leading to changes of institutional development in Hong Kong.
To consolidate the way of handling the questioning phrase “Trace and account for”.

Teaching Strategies
Revisit the history of opening of Hong Kong as a port. (0.5 Period)

(i)To be conducted by questioning, along with Powerpoint presentation.

Political and institutional characteristicsof Hong Kong at its different stages of development (2 Periods)

(i)With the use of the textbook and Worksheet 1, explain the political and institutional characteristics of Hong Kong at its different stages of development. The administrative characteristics will be treated vertically, and the process of development will be treated horizontally.

(ii)Before starting each stage, students will be given a few minutes to read the relevant parts in the textbook, followed by completingWorksheet 1 through questioning and lecturing.

Causes of Political Changes in Hong Kong (3 Periods)

(i)As a follow-up of the previous two periods, students are to do group discussion with information in the textbook, examine the causes leading to the changes mentioned above, and complete Worksheet 2.

(ii)Students are to report on their discussion, and the teacher will comment, reinforce and summarise.

(iii)With reference to Worksheet 2, students are to consolidate their ways of answering questions with the questioning phrase “Trace and account for”.

(iv)Teacher shows the video “Hong Kong History Decode – 1967 Riots” (解密百年香港－1967年暴動)produced by ATV, so as to let students better perceive the situation at the time.

Major trends of institutional development of Hong Kong(2 Periods)

(i)With the use of historical sources, analyse the trends of Hong Kong’s institutional development.

(ii)Students are to discuss in groups: “Did the political development of Hong Kong move towards democracy?”

(iii)Students are to report on their discussion, and the teacher will reinforce and summarise.

Expected Outcomes/Difficulties
The way of dividing the 20th century into four periods is relatively complicated, but by doing so students can explore more of the factors and master the process of development. (Teacher may deal with the second half of the 20th century as a whole.)
It is expected that students can master the stages and trends of Hong Kong’s political development, and understand roughly the reasons contributing to such development.
When discussing the concept of “democracy”, the teacher may need to do some explanations before leading into the discussion, so as to ensure that the students have a clear understanding of the concept.So the time needed may be longer than anticipated.

Worksheet 1

Institutional Development of Hong Kong and its Characteristics (1900-1997)

1900-1945 / 1945-1967 / 1968-1984 / 1984-1997
1. Executive-led Government:
a. A political model with______as its core;
b. The highest power was in the hands of the Governor, such as executive power, legislativepower, military powerand certain judicial power. / 1. Executive-led Government:
a. A political model with______as its core / 1. ______political model
a.collect public opinions in the process of policy making and implementation / 1.______political system

In 1984, representative political system was implemented at the level of central policy making by gradually increasing the number of ______councilors.
From Legislative Councilors to members of District Boards were appointed by means of ______.

2. Closed and ______mode of administration / preferential treatment for British
a. ruling hierarchy monopolised by a small number of people
b. Governor and high officials were ______people.
c. British merchants had great power
d. Chinese were rarely appointed.
Examples:
i) In 1926______was appointed non-official members of the Executive Council
ii) Before implementation of a policy, no ______would be carried out. Mainly relevant government department responsible for policy implementation.
Example:
Chief Secretary: Responsible for work of executive departments;
Attorney General: drafting laws and handling prosecutions;
Chief Justice: monitors government departments and assists the Governor in policy implementation
Financial Secretary: in charge of finance and preparing the financial budget
iii) As far as Chinese are concerned, targets of consultation focused on ______and ______elites. / 2. Gradually ______mode of administration
a. ______of Civil Servants:
The first Chinese Administrative Officer was appointed in 1948. Thereafter systematic recruitment of Chinese as Administrative Officers began. / 2. Further opening of ruling hierarchy
a. Increased number of Chinese members in the ______, ______and Urban Councils.
b. Chinese councilors were more of the ______by proportion, indicating that the government opened its political power to the middle class to a limited extent.
c. Established new departments such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and Immigration Department, so as to expand the team of civil servants.
d. Introduced ______councilors, e.g. in 1965 there were 10 elected members in the Urban Council. / 2. Opened the ruling hierarchy, implement the modeof______rule.
a. Gradually changed the ______position of the Governor.
b. Councilors gradually come from ______.
Examples:
i) There was direct election for the Legislative Council in September 1991.
ii) Members of District Boards were directly elected in 1992.
iii) Legislative Council had its first full direct election in 1995.
3. Administration measures: ______and cultivating popularity, and ______
a. suppression:
i)designating residential districts for “Europeans”
ii) designating ______as the official language
iii) Chinese appointed to low-ranking positions
b. Placating:
i) Keeping traditional customs of the Chinese
ii) Permitting the setting up of ______
iii) Setting up ______/ 3. Administration measures: Strengthening the placating measures

Increasing ______with lower strata of the community

Raising the political status of the ______
______became official language (1974)
Building community centres
Providing free education
Setting up ICAC to promote the spirit of integrity
Implementing social welfare policies, such as housing, medical, etc.

/ 3. Opening power and implementing ______

Implementing ______political system
Implementing ______election
Expanding scope of consultation
Increasing welfare

Worksheet 1 (Suggested Answers)

Institutional Development of Hong Kong and its Characteristics (1900-1997)

1900-1945 / 1945-1967 / 1968-1984 / 1984-1997
1. Executive-led Government:
a. A political model withthe Governoras its core;
b. The highest power was in the hands of the Governor, such as executive power, legislative power, military powerand certain judicial power. / 1. Executive-led Government:
a. A political model withthe Governoras its core / 1. “Consultative”political model
a.collect public opinions in the process of policy making and implementation / 1.representative political system

In 1984, representative political system was implemented at the level of central policy making by gradually increasing the number of representativecouncilors.
From Legislative Councilors to members of District Boards were appointed by means of election.

2. Closed and “from top to bottom”mode of administration / preferential treatment for British
a. ruling hierarchy monopolised by a small number of people
b. Governor and high officials were Britishpeople.
c. British merchants had great power
d. Chinese were rarely appointed.
Examples:
i) In 1926Chow Shousonwas appointed non-official members of the Executive Council
ii) Before implementation of a policy, no public consultationwould be carried out. Mainly relevant government department responsible for policy implementation.
Example:
Chief Secretary: Responsible for work of executive departments;
Attorney General: drafting laws and handling prosecutions;
Chief Justice: monitors government departments and assists the Governor in policy implementation
Financial Secretary: in charge of finance and preparing the financial budget
iii) As far as Chinese are concerned, targets of consultation focused on non-official members and Chinese elites. / 2. Gradually openedmode of administration
a. Localisationof Civil Servants:
The first Chinese Administrative Officer was appointed in 1948. Thereafter systematic recruitment of Chinese as Administrative Officers began. / 2. Further opening of ruling hierarchy
a. Increased number of Chinese members in the Legislative, Executiveand Urban Councils.
b. Chinese councilors were more of the middle classby proportion, indicating that the government opened its political power to the middle class to a limited extent.
c. Established new departments such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and Immigration Department, so as to expand the team of civil servants.
d. Introduced electedcouncilors, e.g. in 1965 there were 10 elected members in the Urban Council. / 2. Opened the ruling hierarchy, implement the mode ofdemocratisationrule.
a. Gradually changed the dominantposition of the Governor.
b. Councilors gradually come from direct election.
Examples:
i) There was direct election for the Legislative Council in September 1991.
ii) Members of District Boards were directly elected in 1992.
iii) Legislative Council had its first full direct election in 1995.
3. Administration measures: suppressionand cultivating popularity, and placating
a. suppression:
i)designating residential districts for “Europeans”
ii) designating Englishas the official language
iii) Chinese appointed to low-ranking positions
b. Placating:
i) Keeping traditional customs of the Chinese
ii) Permitting the setting up of Heung Yee Kuk
iii) Setting up Urban Council / 3. Administration measures: Strengthening the placating measures

Increasing communicationwith lower strata of the community

Raising the political status of the Chinese
Chinesebecame official language (1974)
Building community centres
Providing free education
Setting up ICAC to promote the spirit of integrity
Implementing social welfare policies, such as housing, medical, etc.

/ 3. Opening power and implementing democracy

Implementing representativepolitical system
Implementing directelection
Expanding scope of consultation
Increasing welfare

Worksheet 2

Factors Affecting Hong Kong’s Institutional Development (1900-1997)

1900-1945 / Factors / 1945-1967 / Factors / 1968-1984 / Factors / 1984-1997 / Factors
1. Executive-led Government:
a. A political model with the Governor as its core;
b. The highest power was in the hands of the Governor, such as executive power, legislative power, military power and certain extent of judicial power.
2. Closed and “from top to bottom” mode of administration/preferential treatment for British
a. ruling hierarchy monopolised by a small number of people
b. Governor and high officials were British people.
c. British merchants had great power
d. Chinese were rarely appointed.
Examples:
i) In 1926Chow Shouson was appointed non-official members of the Executive Council
ii) Before implementation of a policy, no public consultation would be carried out. Relevant government department mainly responsible for policy implementation.
Example:
Chief Secretary: Responsible for work of executive departments;
Attorney General: drafting laws and handling prosecutions;
Chief Justice: monitors government departments and assists the Governor in policy implementation
Financial Secretary: in charge of finance and preparing the financial budget
iii) As far as Chinese are concerned, targets of consultation focused on non-official members and Chinese elites.
3. Administration Techniques: suppression and cultivating popularity, and placating
a. suppression:
i)designating residential districts for “Europeans”
ii) designating English as the official language
iii) Chinese appointed to low positions
b. Placating:
i) Keeping traditional customs of the Chinese
ii) Permitting the setting up of Heung Yee Kuk
iii) Setting up Urban Council / 1.Executive-led Government:
a. A political model with the Governor as its core
2. Gradually opened mode of administration
a.Localisation of Civil Servants:
The first Chinese Administrative Officer was appointed in 1948. Thereafter systematic recruitment of Chinese as Administrative Officers began.
3. Administration Techniques: Strengthening the placating measures

Increasing communication with lower strata of the community

i)Setting up three-tier regional administrative organisations: from top to bottom, the Home Affairs Department, District Offices and District Boards
ii)Office of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils
iii)Advisory Committees of various kinds / 1.“Consultative” political model
a. collect opinions of the public in the process of policy making and implementation
2. Further opening of ruling hierarchy
a. Increased number of Chinese members in the Legislative, Executive and Urban Councils.
b. Chinese councilors were more of the middle class by proportion, indicating that the government opened its political power to the middle class to a limited extent.
c. Added new departments such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and Immigration Department, so as to expand the team of civil servants.
d. Introduced elected councilors, e.g. In 1965 there were 10 elected members in the Urban Council.
3. Placating policies for winning support of the people:

Raising the political status of the Chinese
Chinese became official language (1974)
Building community centres
Providing free education
Setting up ICAC to promote the spirit of integrity
Implementing social welfare policies, such as housing, medical, etc.

/ 1.representative political system

In 1984, representative political system was implemented at the level of central policy making by gradually increasing the number of representative councilors.
From Legislative Councilors to members of District Boards were appointed by means of election.

2. Opened the ruling hierarchy, implement democratisation of rule
a. Gradually changed the dominant position of the Governor.
b. Councilors are to gradually come from direct election.
Examples:
i) There was direct election for the Legislative Council in September 1991.
ii) Members of District Boards were directly elected in 1992.
iii) Legislative Council had its first full direct election in 1995.
3. Opening power and implementing democracy

Implementing representative political system
Implementing direct election
Expanding scope of consultation

Increasing welfare

Worksheet 2 (Suggested Answers)

Factors Affecting Hong Kong’s Institutional Development (1900-1997)

1900-1945 / Factors / 1945-1967 / Factors / 1968-1984 / Factors / 1984-1997 / Factors
1. Executive-led Government:
a. A political model with the Governor as its core;
b. The highest power was in the hands of the Governor, such as executive power, legislative power, military power and certain extent of judicial power.
2. Closed and “from top to bottom” mode of administration/preferential treatment for British
a. ruling hierarchy monopolised by a small number of people
b. Governor and high officials were British people.
c. British merchants had great power
d. Chinese were rarely appointed.
Examples:
i) In 1926Chow Shouson was appointed non-official members of the Executive Council
ii) Before implementation of a policy, no public consultation would be carried out. Relevant government department mainly responsible for policy implementation.
Example:
Chief Secretary: Responsible for work of executive departments;
Attorney General: drafting laws and handling prosecutions;
Chief Justice: monitors government departments and assists the Governor in policy implementation
Financial Secretary: in charge of finance and preparing the financial budget
iii) As far as Chinese are concerned, targets of consultation focused on non-official members and Chinese elites.
3. Administration Techniques: suppression and cultivating popularity, and placating
a. suppression:
i)designating residential districts for “Europeans”
ii) designating English as the official language
iii) Chinese appointed to low positions
b. Placating:
i) Keeping traditional customs of the Chinese
ii) Permitting the setting up of Heung Yee Kuk
iii) Setting up Urban Council / Examples:
- Convenient to control and regulate
- Easy for policy implementation (no need to conduct consultation; more speedy and efficient)
- Did not know the language; hard to communicate and explain policies
- Believed that people in the colonies were of second class and so did not give them administrative power / 1.Executive-led Government:
a. A political model with the Governor as its core
2. Gradually opened mode of administration
a.Localisation of Civil Servants:
The first Chinese Administrative Officer was appointed in 1948. Thereafter systematic recruitment of Chinese as Administrative Officers began.
3. Administration Techniques: Strengthening the placating measures

Increasing communication with lower strata of the community

iv)Setting up three-tier regional administrative organisations: from top to bottom, the Home Affairs Department, District Offices and District Boards
v)Office of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils
vi)Advisory Committees of various kinds / Examples:
-Anti-colonialism trend was strong after WWII. Hong Kong government had to implement reforms to improve its image of liberality by increasing the role of Chinese in the civil service structure, so as to reduce Hong Kong people’s dissatisfaction and criticism of world opinion.
-Hong Kong’s economy developed fast after the War. Chinese big businesses arose and influence of Chinese merchants could not be ignored. The government had to consider their opinions in its decision making.
-Economic prosperity contributed to the emergence of a middle class. Most of them received good education and had increasing expectations on and participation in the political system. / 1.“Consultative” political model
a. collect opinions of the public in the process of policy making and implementation
2. Further opening of ruling hierarchy
a. Increased number of Chinese members in the Legislative, Executive and Urban Councils.
b. Chinese councilors were more of the middle class by proportion, indicating that the government opened its political power to the middle class to a limited extent.
c. Added new departments such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and Immigration Department, so as to expand the team of civil servants.
d. Introduced elected councilors, e.g. In 1965 there were 10 elected members in the Urban Council.
3. Placating policies for winning support of the people:

Raising the political status of the Chinese
Chinese became official language (1974)
Building community centres
Providing free education
Setting up ICAC to promote the spirit of integrity
Implementing social welfare policies, such as housing, medical, etc.

/ Examples:
-A number of riots broke out in the community in 1967, reflecting dissatisfactions in society. For the sake of improving communication and relieving people’s resentment, the government had to increase the number of Chinese councilors and to listen to public opinion, so as to win popularity.
-The economy continued to grow. The new generation of Hong Kong who received good education had a strong sense of belonging to Hong Kong. This sense of identity was manifested in their efforts to strive for civil rights. The government could not ignore this. / 1.representative political system

In 1984, representative political system was implemented at the level of central policy making by gradually increasing the number of representative councilors.
From Legislative Councilors to members of District Boards were appointed by means of election.

Implementing representative political system
Implementing direct election
Expanding scope of consultation
Increasing welfare

/ Examples:
- In compliance with China’s resumption ofsovereignty over Hong Kong and thegradual rise of the political awareness of the Chinese, the Hong Kong government considered that it was necessary to establish a political system that could fully represent Hong Kong people’s opinions.Thus the government can be responsible to Hong Kong people more directly, so it gradually increased the number of elected councilors.