Preface

Summary

Hong Kong brims with energy, glitter, and excitement. From the heights of Victoria Peak, the cityscape of skyscrapers, apartment towers, forested hills, and harbor forms a spectacular panorama, and at night the sparkling lightshow of the soaring buildings is second to none in the world. This glamorous city houses an extraordinarily talented people that made this research project a sheer delight. The citizens on the street, the storeowners, clerks, taxi-drivers, and my tailor graciously offered assistance whenever requested, provided directions, and gave me their opinions on the economy and politics. Officials across a wide range of government agencies and business organizations kindly met with me to answer questions, directed me to data sources, and provided materials. University faculty in Hong Kong willingly shared their knowledge, offered suggestions, and provided forums to debate ideas. Numerous business executives generously gave me an hour of their time to interview them about their strategic views of the economy and politics of Hong Kong and Asia, and they explained how they behaved as decision-makers in control of commodity and financial capital. Although I cannot cite them personally because they stated their views in confidence, their insights form critical components of the interpretations and explanations offered in this book; I am indebted to them.