ABSTRACT

The triangular relationship between Britain, China and Hong Kong entered a new era after 1950. As Communist control of the mainland swelled the population of Hong Kong between 1949 and 1950, shortages of water, accommodation and employment became serious problems. As a result, and reversing its dualistic policy and commitment to noninterference, Hong Kong demanded the British colonial government take action. From the mid-1950s, the government began to introduce a number of economic policies to encourage foreign investment, and to promote Hong Kong’s trade with the West. Meanwhile, China entered a new stage of internal political struggle. In 1956-7, the anti-Rightist campaign was under way and further isolated China from the outside world. Separated from the mainland, furthermore, with increasing business connections overseas, the colony developed and strengthened its cultural relationships with the overseas Chinese population. Consequently, Hong Kong cinema shifted from being part of Chinese national cinema in the first half of the century, to functioning as Chinese diasporic cinema from the mid-1950s.