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Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Authors

Edwin L.-C. Lai

First Page

735

Abstract

Professor Lai presented this essay at the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law Symposium 1997: Hong Kong's Reintegration into the People's Republic of China. Professor Lai has updated his work since Hong Kong and China reunified. The author questions whether Hong Kong will really be able to remain an independent economic entity while also being a dependent political entity under the unprecedented "one country, two systems" concept.

In this essay, the author identifies the conditions under which Hong Kong's economy can prosper, both in the short term and the long term. After reviewing Hong Kong's recent economic performance, the author assesses the potential economic problems of political integration. Potential problems include corruption, threats to the rule of law in Hong Kong, self-censorship by the press, and disruption of Hong Kong's tax system. The author concludes that, despite these problems, prosperity will likely be sustained in the short term. For economic prosperity to continue in Hong Kong in the long term, however, the continued expansion of the Chinese capitalist class must continue. As Hong Kong becomes increasingly integrated with China economically, it will also be increasingly susceptible to China's economic woes. Thus, for Hong Kong's economy to prosper in the long term, China must remain stable both politically and economically.

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