Hong Kong today is in a period of stress and uncertainty. Recent Chinese central government policies have raised anxiety in Hong Kong and created a threatening atmosphere. The risks to the future are considerable. The problems that have emerged could conceivably escalate and cause great difficulty for Hong Kong, serious economic and political setbacks for Beijing, and significant strains in US-China relations. All of this is somewhat surprising because only last fall there was an atmosphere in Hong Kong of remarkable good feeling toward the central government. Amicable resolution remains possible, and there have been preliminary hopeful signs in June 2004.

The testimony of William Overholt, presented to the House Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific on June 23, 2004.

This article is an excellent study of the last decade in Hong Kong, from before the handover, through the Asian financial crisis, and up to the most recent demonstrations.