新雙城記
我在舊文：『世博開幕了！』的思路交流中，和新鮮人兄輾轉談到，香港和上海，近一世紀多的競爭。
中國近代歷史上，在中英簽訂『南京條約』後，香港成為大畢烈顛帝國在遠東的殖民地，而上海則成為『外國租界』，聞說由大畢烈顛和法蘭西共同管理，稱為『英租界』和『法租界』，後來法蘭西退出，在上海『外國租界』被大畢烈顛完全控制。
兩地都因為有英國人的介入，在中國土地上發光，輾轉上海因為新中國成立，英國人被逼離開，加上新中國多種不同的政治運動，而落後於香港，繼後中國改革開放，上海發力狂追。
而香港當英國人把專注放在香港，終於把在南中國海岸的小漁村，輾轉化為『東方之珠』，『亞洲四小龍』之一，亞洲的其中一個『金融中心』，但卻在九七年英國人離開後，香港開始暗淡。
剛巧 TVB 的時事新聞節目，『新雙城記』討論的就是“上海”和“香港”兩個城市，千絲萬縷的關係。本港朋友登入 TVB 網頁可以觀看影片，外國朋友可利用“Youtube 你喉“搜尋，也可以收看到。
前言：2010，是新世紀新一個十年，也是上海藉世博，向全世界展示實力的戰略契機。世博璀璨盛事，上海輝煌重現；南方的香港，又再陷於如何尋找出路的沉思之中。
百多年來，上海與香港一直相互較勁，抗戰以前，上海曾被譽為「中國的紐約」、「東方的巴黎」，歷史奔流，兩城經濟實力此消彼長。
特輯於世博熱潮開始，香港人目睹上海昂然踏進新紀元，百多年來香港上海「雙城記」之比較再一次重演。特輯比較上海香港之雙城故事，從歷史之交錯、今昔之對比，看兩城的建設與價值觀，以新角度，重新思索香港。
特輯共三集，每集半小時，於四月二十九日開始，一連三星期，星期四晚七時於翡翠台播出。
第1集～對碰 播出日期: 2010.04.29
世界博覽會盛事，新穎建築令人瞠目，上海再次成為世界焦點。上海、香港，既是競爭對手，也是合作夥伴。本集描繪上海新氣象，透過不同階層人物及經歷，從經濟建設、物流運輸、生活消費、樓價升幅等各方面，比較兩城，並比較相似背景的香港人及上海人，在兩城之不同際遇。
第2集～今昔 播出日期: 2010.05.06
上世紀二、三十年代的上海，曾被形容是「風華絕代」、僅次於紐約和倫敦的金融市場，在當年文人筆下，就算是夜總會與跑馬場，亦遠較香港具規模。論地緣優勢與發展機遇，香港似乎莫能與上海比。但香港的自由、法治、制度，往往成為人才與資金的避難所。本集透過匯豐銀行與中央紡織廠在上海香港的起伏，訴說兩城歷史交錯的故事。
第3集～尋索 播出日期: 2010.05.13
本集從兩地的地標性建築，比較「大上海」與香港的發展觀。位處長三角上海腹地，高鐵路程只需二十分鐘的「蘇州工業園」，是長三角發展的樣板，新穎的天幕地標、遊樂園、博物館，於兩三年間紛紛落成；上海市內，文化園區於一兩年間湧現，政府積極主導下，發展速度令人眩目；回看香港的西九文化區，從構思到拉倒再重議，歷時十多載，仍在籌劃階段。
【TVB】特輯解構制訂政策與建設的過程，比較兩地做事的速度。大上海極速發展，造成什麼問題？香港龜步前行，又源自什麼？兩地有何能互補長短之處？展望未來，香港的價值何在，香港人又如何自處？
上海利用中國改革開放的契機，開足馬力，利用超時代規劃，把失去的幾十年追回。而香港就執著英國人留下的民主，社會不斷內耗，”議而不決“，”決而不行“，”行而不前“，在迴旋處兜圈，或是開倒車。
怎不令港人唏噓！
伸延閱覽：
新雙城記 TVB.com
上海公共租界 維基百科
我的舊文：
世博開幕了！
香港是老幾？Hong Kong Ranking！
香港走到迴旋處不停在兜圈子！
香港請得到人才 卻留不到人才
接駁全國高速鐵路 and/or 與「中國速度」接軌
獨裁者的 Efficiency
瘋人瘋語
「我離港前到過一間精神科醫院。當時有位病人禮貌地問，一個以作為世上最悠久民主政體而自傲的國家，如何能夠將此地交給一個政治制度非常不同的國家，且既沒諮詢當地公民，又沒給予他們民主的前景，好讓他們捍衞自己的將來。一個隨行同事說，奇怪，香港提出最理智問題的人，竟在精神科醫院。」彭定康 金融時報 “During a visit to a mental hospital before I left Hong Kong, a patient politely asked me how a country that prided itself on being the oldest democracy in the world had come to be handing over his city to another country with a very different system of government, without either consulting the citizens or giving them the prospect of democracy to safeguard their future. Strange, said one of my aides, that the man with the sanest question in Hong Kong is in a mental hospital.”Chris Patten Financial Times
Non Chinese literate friends, please simply switch to English Version provided by LOUSY Google Translation
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敬請參與在右下方的不記名訪客分佈調查問卷，你是: ？
20 comments:
這篇看了!
多謝新鮮兄捧場！
Thank you for your article and the reference to TVB's 時事新聞節目『新雙城記』 . I have not watched the latter, but my sense is that:
* The success of Shanghai exemplifies what new China can do as the world's emerging economic power-house. The 100% made-in-China success of Shanghai is the success of the new China. Many might argue that the past and future success of HK may not be attributed 100% to mainland China.
* Many Shanghai ppl fled China after WW II and again during the hardship years in the 50's/60's (e.g. the Great Leap Forward and the departure of Soviet personnel/support). In fact, North Point was at one point nicknamed小上海. So, it is possible that some Chinese decision-makers might wish to reward the "loyal" Shanghainese who have chosen to stay behind during highs and lows, for better or worse.
* Some decision-makers in China might still see the HK ppl as "different", in terms of their political orientation and thinking. One would recall that colonial HK was being labelled as 大毒草 during the Cultural Revolution.
* When China was being isolated behind the so-called "bamboo curtain", HK was one of its economic and political portal. During the post-war period up to the 80's, both Britain and China derived benefits from the prosperity of HK (e.g. the outflow of HK Dollars to deal with the devaluation of the British pounds) and its free-port status (e.g. China's access to western currencies thru import/export). However, with China being recognized by Canada and rest of the western world, the usefulness of HK has decreased slowly. As China continues to open up its factories and ports for international trade and investments, HK is forced to choose its niche market (in order to be useful and survive), retreating first from manufacturing, to import/export, then to financial services. To complicate matters, there are also competitions from Singapore and other parts of Asia.
* Given the current political structure, one would assume HK ppl would all think of themselves as part of the make-China-strong team as opposed to make-HK-strong team. However, there are historical baggage and political movements to deal with, and that too is reality.
* Comparing HK to Shanghai is in many ways underestimating the influence and power-base of the "national" city. Perhaps, HK should re-examine its role of SAR and put itself in the pants of decision-makers in the centre and ask the questions:
---- What are the strengths of HK in terms of infrastructure, knowledge, technology and know-how, etc?
---- What are the usefulness of HK to each of the government Ministry nationally and regionally (commerce, foreign affairs, industry, education, defence, ....etc) ?
* Possible usefulness might include (thinking in and out of the box here): A pilot-test ground for Chinese-style democracy? An alternate southern port to Shanghai (in case of emergency/disruption, or simply to even out the loads and take advantage of the high-speed train system)? A bridgehead to beat China's BRIC competitors? A southern hub for training provincial business ppl and govt officials? A east-meet-west arts and performance centre-of-excellence to develop and export China's cultural industry abroad (the so-called "US cultural imperialism" aside, isn't this what Bollywood is doing)?
So much blue-skying for now !!!
Why was HK labelled 大毒草? Drug related?
I couldn't watch 新雙城記. The youtube clip was very slow. It's pointless to compete with Shanghai. The key is to make HK useful to China. I think HK will eventually become whatever China wants her to be. May be China is still testing where HK's strength is??
No one says one-country-two-system is going to be easy. I can't imagine living in San Diego but yet it is not part of the U.S! I think I would have felt a little lost. I don't even like living in Hawaii because Hawaii is like a forgotten state.
Hari big brother, " So much blue-skying for now !!!" you are an optimistic person. While I am a typical pessimistic person.
As for HK govt they take a passive role just seeking the mercy of what the central government, like I said in my archive.
港人相信中央一定會撐香港：“英國人做到的，中國人一定做得到。” 相信撬埋雙手，由中國給養就夠了。
加上英國人留下的民主，社會不斷內耗，”議而不決“，”決而不行“，”行而不前“，在迴旋處兜圈，或是開倒車。
我就認為這是香港的現況，所以對香港前途十分悲觀！
Exile, ”大毒草“，微豆兄原文是：“One would recall that colonial HK was being labelled as 大毒草 during the Cultural Revolution.”
在”文化大革命 Cultural Revolution“高潮，香港的資本主義的意識形態，被極左的中國官員，形容為污染中國的共產主義”大毒草“。Wish I didn't misinterpret 微豆兄罷。
As for your suggestion：”May be China is still testing where HK's strength is??“ I believed Beijing China already known too much， and they see Shanghai has the potential to replace Hong Kong, 此增彼長， HK in deep shit situation.
As for your last paragraph, Exile can you kindly elaborate a bit more? Thanks!
Space:
>> ... 形容為污染中國的共產主義”大毒草"
Thanks !! Yes, that was the context at the time. So, any actions to stop the 大毒草 from spreading and poisoning were righteously justified. One can never be too careful, right ?!!
We are all 大毒草, HAHA!
I'm sorry. I forgot we don't share the same background and experience. I assume you will understand what I meant.
When I think about one-country-two-system in HK, I try to put myself in HKer's
shoes. The big what if! What would it mean for San Diego to stand alone with no U.S constitution
to back us all up? A city with no federal government funding, no military and political assistance & influence. San Diego may be a nice place for a bunch of laid back sun-worshippers, but can we provide enough good-paying jobs for our residents without all the juicy federal government contracts?
Can we put all our faith and hope in a few mediocre local politicians' hands?
Without the rest of the U.S to share the risk, how are we going to handle any fiscal crisis? Imagine if San Diego were to have its own currency which pegs with the Chinese yuan (what a nightmare!). Can we alone come up with enough tax revenue to pay for all the social programs? The worst of all, we will lose our freedom relocating to other
parts of the U.S. Now that I write them all down, there are lots of benefits being a united part of the mothership.
All these make me wonder...
How is HK going to keep fighting China off and at the same time try to benefit from China's financial and political strength ? It is like fighting a giant with no weapons. HK people aren't paying any taxes to the Chinese government. Why should China help HK?
There is no free lunch. HK people can't have it all.
微豆兄：民革這段歷史，是從書本報章引述而得知，對其了解有限。 民革時期“口號”和“扣帽子”多得很，叫“大毒草”，是否已經很 mild 的呢？香港有沒有淪為“反革命基地”？
Exile, when comparing Singapore and San Diego，area，size，demographic factor，population，GDP etc etc while Singapore survived for over 40 years but you said san diego could not.
I guess even for a metropolitan city they should balance their budgets.
Apparently the city of San Diego relied mostly on the federal funding to survive，I remember there is a naval base right at the port！
But according to 維基百科 San Diego：Second-largest city in California and 46th largest city in the Americas. Located along the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of the United States, San Diego has a population of 1,279,329 (July 2008 estimate). San Diego is the fifth-wealthiest city in the United States.[5] San Diego's top four industries are manufacturing, defense, tourism, and agriculture.
San Diego's economy is largely composed of agriculture, biotechnology/biosciences, computer sciences, electronics manufacturing, defense-related manufacturing, financial and business services, ship-repair, ship-construction, software development, telecommunications, wireless research, and tourism.
As for HK, yes Exile，U are correct， HK does not contribute any tax revenue to central govt in beijing. 但中央一定會撐香港：“英國人做到的，中國人一定做得到。” 所以香港人相信撬埋雙手，由中國給養就夠了。
Speaking of San Diego, our telecommunication company Qualcomm is opening a multimillion-dollar research and development facility in Shanghai — its second in China — highlighting the importance of the huge Chinese market to the San Diego maker of wireless modems and other cell phone chips.
Exile, the investment is a new R&D center is part of Qualcomm’s ongoing efforts to both utilize the growing pool of telecommunications engineering talent and enhance local R&D capabilities for the increasingly important wireless communications market in China.
Apparently Qualcomm tapping into cheaper cost of qualified personnels provided and educated by China. The same establishment in the states will be almost triple or four fold and more.
I would like to see how president Obama reacts to this multi- million dollars investment or he just simply not protecting the US job market???
Link：Qualcomm Press Release
>> ... We are all 大毒草, HAHA!
Hey, Exile, what are you smoking there ?? Speak for yourself XD !!!!
Okay, seriously ....
>> ... 叫“大毒草”，是否已經很 mild 的呢？
Space: Yes, and no.
One could say the labelling was "mild" since Hong Kongers were not forced to kneel on broken glasses 跪玻璃, unlike some of those who had been labelled 大地主 inside mainland China.
It was also "severe" since there were IEDs (improvised explosive devices 土製菠蘿) that caused injuries and deaths to police and civilians alike on the streets.
>> ... 香港有沒有淪為“反革命基地”？
No. Most of the HK ppl had no intention of overthrowing the PRC. But those who wanted the HK colonial govt to stay were being labelled as "imperialist running dogs 帝國主義走狗" and "anti-revolutionaries 反革命分子".
Qualcomm is one of the best companies to work for in San Diego. We can't afford to lose them but then again, they have been shipping jobs out for a long time. With all the so-called voting power American citizens have, we can't stop jobs from being out-sourced. Argh, as you know, campaign promise is one thing, reality is another. Jobs have been lost since Clinton was in office. Qualcomm relies on government contracts too. Ås long as their headquarter stays in San Diego, I don't mind seeing them expand to China. I am sure they will bring some Chinese business back to San Diego too. We have a football stadium named after Qualcomm- Qualcomm Stadium..
>> .... I would like to see how president Obama reacts to this multi- million dollars investment or he just simply not protecting the US job market???
Unless there are multilateral directives (such as UN security council resolutions 聯合國安理會決議, NATO sanctions, etc) and/or federal acts/legislations/policies that allows direct interventions from Washington (such as those dealing with war measures, public safety, national security concerns, govt-funded projects, etc), I do not believe the US Prez can order Qualcomm to open/close shops in China. Surely, he doesn't want to give the Tea Party movement more ammunitions.
Exile, please correct me if I am wrong.
微豆兄：我沒有太多資料和知識，關於當年的中國”民革“和在港的”土製菠蘿“。至於 "anti-revolutionaries 反革命分子" 和 ”反革命基地“，應該分別不大。
Exile, politicians have many faces！比四川變臉還要快！
但奧巴馬不是有個 ACT 要美國公司，先聘請美國人民的嗎？怎麽 Qualcomm 又把 RnD outsourcing 去了上海，話就話是較貼近中國市場，背後又不是人工成本誘因，顯然那個 ACT 又不適用了？？？？
微豆兄：Re"I do not believe the US Prez can order Qualcomm to open/close shops in China. Surely, he doesn't want to give the Tea Party movement more ammunitions."
奧巴馬要扭轉形勢，要放眼年尾的中期選舉，真難為了他！
Act? Yeah, I heard there are many "stop outsourcing U.S jobs" bills waiting for congress to TAKE ACTION! But nothing has been done. As of today, it is still legal to outsource except certain highly sensitive industry and technology. But hey, there is a price tag on everything. In the past, China has successfully acquired sensitive technology from some of our defense contractors (not to name names). No way to stop greed. I think we will eventually see U.S wages go down. Politicians are just a bunch of sell-outs. Both parties are pro-outsourcing. They aren't doing anything to stop high paying jobs from leaving the country but they are messing with illegal immigrants from Mexico who come here to mow our lawn and clean our houses.
California unemployment rate is over 12%. Like I said before, save more and spend less la!
Exile， II are mostly taking up the unwanted low pay jobs. Are the americans willing to take up these low pay jobs?
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