Chinas Take Over Of Hong Kong History Essay

Chinas Take Over Of Hong Kong History Essay The peoples of Republic of china took over Hong Kong in 1997.China had promised to keep a capitalist economy in Hong Kong for 50 years. Still, many Hong Kong business people (and their families) have migrated to other nation such as Canada and Australia. Discuss the impact of this situation on Chinas Political and Social environment. Introduction Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and maintains a high degree of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs. It has well-established institutions that support the rule of law and a vigorous civil society. The Basic Law, the SARs constitution, was approved by the PRC in 1990. It provides for the protection of fundamental rights and calls for progress toward universal suffrage and further democratization after a 10-year period, starting with Hong Kongs July 1, 1997, reversion to Chinese sovereignty. The Chief Executive is chosen by an 800-person selection committee composed of individuals who are either directly elected, indirectly elected, or appointed. The Chief Executive supervises a cabinet of principal officers whom he appoints. The power of the Legislative Council (legislature) is significantly circumscribed by the Basic Law. The legislature is composed of 24 directly elected members representing geographic districts, 30 indirectly elected members representing functional (occupational) constituencies, and 6 members elected indirectly by an election committee. It was the economic and social forces unleashed in 1979 in Chinas open door policy and Hong Kongs response to them that may ultimately determine their fate. Given the disparity in the level of economic development and the differences in the economic system between Hong Kong and the mainland, there are obvious benefits to greater integration and this entails making the border more permeable. Managing the permeability of the border has to become an integral part of all economic and social policies within Hong Kong as the two matters will have implications for each other. The period prior to 1949 was one where there was perfect permeability and standards of living were similar between Hong Kong and the mainland. The period between 1949 and 1979 was one where there was essentially no or very limited permeability and standards of living were therefore permitted to diverge between the mainland and Hong Kong. In both periods the government was able to pursue a laissez faire system without any fundamental inconsistency. This is no longer the case with the opening of China. Summary China Take over in a Hong Kong in 1997, there was a carnival atmosphere. In another, a somber rally and March followed by a candlelight vigil. Its clear that one year before China takes control; the people of Hong Kong are divided in their feelings. A period of more than 150 years of British colonial rule ends at midnight on June 30, 1997 when Hong Kong and its 6,000,000 people will be handed over to China. Despite a warning that they will not be allowed to enter China, seven elected Hong Kong officials vowed to go ahead with a trip to Beijing. They will be carrying a 50,000 signature petition protesting Chinas plans to replace the legislature with an appointed body. We are afraid that our free lifestyles, the rule of law, will not be preserved after 1997, pro democracy legislator Emily Lau told the cheering, clapping crowd. Governor Chris Patten urged Hong Kong residents to standup for their freedoms. . Nominal GDP, Per Capita GDP and Foreign exchange rates were all on the increasing side. Due to high exports between 1994-1997 and imports their trade balance has been at a surplus causing their nominal GDP to increase through out the years. Nominal GDP million US$ 1994 130,808, in 1995 139,238 and in 1997 173,045. From 1994-1997 Hong Kongs foreign currency reserves increased exponentially from $49.3 billion in 1994 to $92.8 billion in 1997. The reason for this increase is primarily due to a very well managed trade balance. The interest rate environment in Hong Kong provided an excellent backdrop for the equity markets. MIGRATION IN HONGKONG The peoples of Republic of china took over Hong Kong in 1997 and promised to keep a capitalist economy in Hong Kong for 50 years. However, many Hong Kong people have migrated to other countries. From 1984 to 1997, due to the uncertainty of the transition back to China, thousands of well-educated and wealthy Hong Kong citizens moved to countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, where they obtained permanent residency status or citizenship. 1 CAUSE OF MIGRATION .Difference in economy system in china and hong kong China is a communist country where socialist economy system holds while the people of hong kong followed capitalist economy . Fear in the stability of government People of Hong kong where worried regarding stability of government so they migrated to other nations. Competition in market Due to the implementation of capitalist economy in Hong kong many big and reputed companies headed towards hong kong and thus the competition of the market became tough. Thus it was very difficult for some business people to continue their business effectively. Corruption is a major problem:- Corruption in Chinese government was one of the major cause that people of hong kong was afraid of. They were not satisfied with the policy of Chinese government where corruption exists. Unsecure future The business people thought that their future was not secure as the government had implemented the law for only for 50 years and so it might happened that their next generation might have to struggle and face the socialist economy. The working class worried that 1997 might usher in chaos and the middle class fears the loss of property and freedom. Freedom of migration Hong Kong residents being free to move in and out of the territory, and they do not have to declare the purpose of their movements to the authorities. This freedom of movement, much valued by the local population, has been enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration about the future of Hong Kong beyond 1997.There was no rule of giving any reasons for the migration to any authority PEST Analysis: . 1. POLITICAL ANALYSIS Prior to July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was a British dependent territory. A British-appointed governor, representing the British crown, headed the Hong Kong government and exercised authority over civil and military matters. An Executive Council advised the governor on all important matters and a 60-member Legislative Council (known as Legco) enacted laws and oversaw the budget. With the territorys transfer to China in 1997, leadership passed from the last British governor, Chris Patten, to a Chinese chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa A The British control of Hong Kong began in 1842, when China was forced to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain after the First Opium War. In 1984 Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong return to Chinese rule in 1997 as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China . China is in a state of transition now. Being a socialist country, it has carefully changed its political system in recent years, while dramatic changes have taken place in its economic system. In 1979, China started its open policy and economic reform. The Chinese government persisted on carrying out the political guideline of developing economy and enriching Chinese The Joint Declaration and a Chinese law called the Basic Law, which followed in 1990, provide for the SAR to operate with a high degree of economic autonomy for 50 years beyond 1997 B people. Legal System The governments efforts to promote rule of law are significant and ongoing. After the Cultural Revolution, Chinas leaders aimed to develop a legal system to restrain abuses of official authority and revolutionary excesses. In 1982, the National Peoples Congress adopted a new state constitution that emphasized the rule of law under which even party leaders are theoretically held accountable C. 2. ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS Hong Kongs prosperous economy is reflected in the lifestyle of its people. They have one of the highest standards of living in all of Asia, and it is more than 30 times higher than Chinas average standard of living. In 2006 Hong Kongs per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was $27,679.20, although much of the wealth is concentrated into relatively few hands D. Foreign Investment Chinas investment climate has changed dramatically in a quarter-century of reform. In the early 1980s, China restricted foreign investments to export-oriented operations and required foreign investors to form joint-venture partnerships with Chinese firms. Foreign direct investment (FDI) grew quickly during the 1980s, but slowed in late 1989 in the aftermath of Tiananmen. However, the Chinese Governments emphasis on guiding FDI into manufacturing has led to market saturation in some industries, while leaving Chinas services sectors underdeveloped. China is now one of the leading FDI recipients in the world, receiving over $80 billion in 2007 according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce E. FOREIGN RELATIONS Since its establishment, the Peoples Republic has worked vigorously to win international support for its position that it is the sole legitimate government of all China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. In the early 1970s, Beijing was recognized diplomatically by most world powers. Beijing assumed the China seat in the United Nations in 1971 and has since become increasingly active in multilateral organizations. Japan established diplomatic relations with China in 1972, and the United States did so in 1979. As of March 2008, the number of countries that had diplomatic relations with Beijing had risen to 171, while 23 maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan F. Hong Kongs greatest growth and development occurred after the Communist takeover of China in 1949, when the commercial and shipping functions of Guangzhou and Shanghai shifted to Hong Kong.. Hong Kong served as Chinas window to the world during the Chinese administration of Mao Zedong. After Maos death in 1976, Hong Kongs role as a banker to China, and as its supplier of information, technology, and capital, intensified G. The Impact of Chinas Entry into WTO on Car Industry China is successful in attracting foreign investment. of income tax. On the other hand, the Chinese car industry has been protected by special policies that limit foreign investment. According to the current Chinese policy on motor industry, Ford will establish a joint venture with 50% share with Chang An Automobile Company in Sichuan Province. Chang An Automobile Company is the 3rd largest car manufacturer in China, which has the experience of car-making for more than 20 years. 3. SOCIAL CULTURAL ANALYSIS China is a multinational country, with a population composed of a large number of ethnic and linguistic groups. The Han (Chinese), the largest group, outnumber the minority groups or minority nationalities in every province or autonomous region except Tibet and Xinjiang. The Han, therefore, form the great homogeneous mass of the Chinese people, sharing the same culture, the same traditions, and the same written language. For this reason, the general basis for classifying the countrys population is largely linguistic rather than ethnic. Some 55 minority groups are spread over approximately three-fifths of the countrys total area. Where these minority groups are found in large numbers, they have been given some semblance of autonomy and self-government; autonomous regions of several types have been established on the basis of the geographic distribution of nationalities. H Education is free and compulsory for all children from the age of 6 to 15, and adult literacy is over 90 percent.. The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts offers courses in dance, music, theater, and technical arts. There are also more than a dozen technical institutes, technical colleges, and teacher-training colleges, which have large numbers of part-time students I. RECOMMENDATIONS China has experienced a stable political system (which is considered totalitarian) with rapid economic growth for more than 10 years, but some political risks still exist. The Chinese government is still insisting on its communist and totalitarian policy, there is no guarantee that China will continue to its open policy and maintain the rapid GNP increase. China also has an unsatisfied human right record; corruption exists in some economical activities in China, all these will be obstacles to foreign investment. Although the legal system of China is adequate to protect foreign investment, the violation of laws by some local authorities will be a potential risk to our investment. Entry Time and procedure Although the car industry is declining in the US and Europe, it is still a suitable time for Ford Motor Company to invest in China. As the 2nd largest car manufacturer in the world, Ford had been waiting patiently to enter the Chinese Market for more than 20 year. Some other world-famous car manufacturers (such as Volkswagen, General Motor, Toyota, etc.) had already started their business years ago, but we do not consider that it is too late to enter the Chinese family car market. Ford has been producing its Transit van in China for many years. The productivity and sales are not as good as expected because of the high cost (price) and limited production. . CONCLUSION Its my first pleasure to do something special kind of project related to Business Environment. With the help of this project I able to learn few special things that was really fantastic and completely unknowing before completion of this project. This experience was really outstanding . This essay applies a historical-institution approach to assess the impact of this situation on Chinas legal and political institutions. In each case historical and institutional trends are described, and the effects of legality on these trends are examined. The topics include changes in economic structure and the rate of growth of GDP, formal legal institutions and legal behavior of the Chinese people, and the forces toward the development of democratic political institutions.

Mythical Pasts: Ethiopianism as a Revitalization Movement :: essays papers

Mythical Pasts: Ethiopianism as a Revitalization Movement Throughout history, identification with Ethiopian heritage has been a familiar concept to the Jamaicans who have suffered under slavery, colonialism and social oppression. This concept of "Ethiopianism" includes the appreciation of Ethiopia’s ancient civilization as well as its profound role in the Bible and world history. It has long been manifested in Jamaican culture as a means to identify with a glorious, righteous, and perhaps the earliest of all human civilization. Anthropologist Anthony F.C. Wallace has focused much of his research on the phenomena of Revitalization Movements throughout social history. He has recognized that such movements are characterized by a uniform process and can be defined as "a deliberate, organized, conscious effort by members of a society to construct a more satisfying culture" (Wallace 265). Considering the centuries of severe struggle amongst Jamaican society, from the inhumane conditions of slavery to modern neocolonialism on the island, it seems evident as to why the revitalization of the Ethiopian homeland would be present in the culture and even accelerated within the Rastafarian Movement. Prominent leaders and the circumstances of the times have allowed Ethiopianism to flourish amongst the oppressed masses of Jamaica and gain popular recognition through the lyrics of reggae music. There is no doubt that this identification with historical Ethiopia has served as a Revitalization Movement for Rastafarians within Jamaican culture and society. It would be impossible to understand the Rastafarian connection to Ethiopianism without first exploring at least a brief history of this ancient civilization. This historical root in a thriving civilization is especially important to discover as Blacks have unjustifiably been regarded as "uncivilized" throughout the centuries. I hope that the following will prove that today, Africans all over the world are descendents of what was once a very highly developed civilization in what is now Ethiopia. However, white populations have attempted throughout history to deny this fact. European scholars of the nineteenth century claimed that those who occupied the area in ancient times were not Negroes but Hamites; this attempt was made in hope of scientifically proving that whites are the origin and basis of all civilization (Barrett 70). African descendents have suffered for centuries due to this "de-negrification" of Blacks and those confusing racial classifications assigned by Whites. The fa ct that the Ethiopian civilization was indeed a Black one is strongly supported with a quick insight into ancient Hebrew language.

Articles of Confederation provided the United States with an effective government Essay

Using the documents and your knowledge of the period, evaluate this statement. From 1781 up until 1789 the United States government was based off of the principles of the Articles of Confederation which were created after the Revolutionary War. The articles of confederation created a republic which limited its leaders from much of the powers needed in order to successfully govern the country. This lead to many state disputes, and political struggles. On the contrary, the Articles set up a framework for the U.S. Constitution that lead to a strong centralized government and the prosperity of the United States. The limits put forth by the Articles of Confederation led to state and political disputes, and foreign affairs, but it also had strong and effective characteristics to support a government. The Articles of Confederation’s strong views of a republic and steps set up to avoid autocracy lead to many disputes in the states. Fresh off of the war for independence with Britain, the founding fathers wrote the Articles of Confederation to ensure that their new independent country would not resemble the Autocracy that they had just liberated themselves from, so the created a republic. Their first attempt, the Articles of Confederation, caused many problems throughout the country. A major problem causer was the clause that majority vote had to be achieved in order to pass a law. This was a major problem between states for instance a letter from Rhode Island to congress stated, † I enclose their unanimous resolution [to reject] the recommendation of congress, respecting their impost on imported goods†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (document a) . Rejections of laws were a major problem between states at the time because some laws would benefit states in the south but not the north making it very difficult to pass a majority vote. One states interests could effect another’s simply by rejecting to vote. Another major  problem with the government the articles set up was their inability to make any revenue. Since the national government did not have the power to tax states they had very little. The quote by a former soldier of the revolution, â€Å"Every class of public creditors must know the inability of congress to pay their demands, unless furnished by the means of several states†¦ (doc C)† shows Congress’ lack of money and their inability to supply the people with what they need. In order to successfully run a government money is needed and the articles of confederation made it very difficult for congress to make any. In John Jays letter to George Washington, his fear of the government collapsing due to lack of money and power make known the problems the Articles of Confederation have brought upon the nation. † †¦We are going and doing wrong, and therefore I look forward to evils and calamities, but without being able to guess at the instrument, na ture or measure of them†¦(doc G)† Jay predicts that if the country stays on the path it is heading, the rich and powerful will obtain more power then the government leading to the complete failure of the articles of confederation. While many changes were made by the Articles of Confederation in order separate their habits from that of Great Britain, it caused many disputes between the states and federal government. After the Revolution and the Creation of the Articles of Confederation, foreign affairs began occurring quite frequently. After the war with Britain, exports between the United States and Britain decreased from around 6 million dollars to around 4 million and stayed their consistently from 1784 to 1792 (Doc B) . The decrease of trade was a major problem for a new country in the beginning stages of development, and also the population was rising each year which lead to a greater demand of trade goods and foods. Another foreign affair that arose was loyalists who had left the country for safety wanted payment of debts owed to them before the war. Under the articles of confederation they were not required to receive former debts and Britain was required to cede all territories in their limits to the U.S. (doc D) The demands ensuing to the war lead Britain, France, and Spain to restrict U.S. trade with their territories. Foreign affairs also arose with Spain for they had control of much of the land west of the Mississippi River. Another speech by John Jay, this time to Spain’s minister Diego de  Gardoqui, tells of Americans ambitious of expanding westward and that the jump to use the Mississippi and its territories are imminent. Minister Gardoqui disagrees and feels the people are 15-20 years away from wanting to move west.(doc F) Since their is no restriction in the Articles of Confederation to move west, like their was by Britain in the Proclamation of 1763, this causes a problem between Spain and the U.S. The Articles of Confederation lead to many foreign affairs following its establishment in 1781. Though many problems arose stemming from the Articles of Confederation it also had its positive affects towards the united states government. The main goal of congress when writing the document was to limit the power of the federal government and leave the power in the hands of the people. It may have limited the power of congress to much too large of an extent but it succeeded in limiting the government. Also the fundamental rights of the people, policy on foreign affairs, and establishment of a democratic republic created a sturdy framework for the U.S. Constitution which is still prominent today. The belief that the Articles of Confederation made a solid structure for the Constitution was shown by Rawlin Lowndes in his speech to the South Carolina State of Representatives. The quote by Lowndes, † I solemnly called on the house to consider whether it would not be better to add strength to the old confederation, instead of hastily adapting another; asking whether a man could be looked on as wise, who, possessing a magnificent building, upon discovering a flaw, instead of repairing the injury, should pull it down†¦(doc H)†. Lowndes describes the Articles of Confederation as a â€Å"magnificent building† that has minor flaws that easily could be repaired into a strong basis of government. The Articles of Confederation have the right concepts, they just need some improvements to overcome the many problems associated with them. Between 1781 and 1789 the Articles of Confederation set up an effective means of government that worked well for the short time it was in use, but it also developed problems between states, politics, and foreign affairs. In the documents, problems were brought up describing the limited power congress had, and the troubles between the U.S, Britain, and Spain. These  problems lead to the reformation of the Confederation after 1789 in which the U.S constitution was born.

Are Muslims Allowed to Smoke The Islamic Fatwa View

Islamic scholars have historically had mixed views about tobacco, and until recently  there has not been a clear, unanimous fatwa (legal opinion) on whether smoking is allowed or forbidden for Muslims   Islamic Haram  and Fatwa The term haram refers to prohibitions on behaviors by Muslims. Forbidden  Acts that are haram are generally those  clearly prohibited in the religious texts of the Quran and Sunnah and are regarded as very serious prohibitions. Any act that is judged haram remains  prohibited no matter what the intentions or purpose behind the act. However, the Quran and Sunnah are old texts that did  not anticipate the issues of modern society. Thus,  additional Islamic legal rulings, the fatwa, provides a means for making a judgment on acts and behaviors not clearly described or spelled out in the Quran and Sunnah. A fatwa is a legal pronouncement handed down by a mufti (an expert in religious law) dealing with a specific issue. Generally, this issue will be one involving new technologies and social advances, such as cloning or in-vitro fertilization Some compare the Islamic fatwa ruling to the legal ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court, which issues interpretations of laws for individual circumstances. However, for Muslims living in western countries, a fatwa is regarded as secondary to the secular laws of that society—the fatwa is optional for the individual to practice when it conflicts with secular laws. Views on Cigarettes Evolving views on the subject of cigarettes  came about because cigarettes are a more recent invention and did not exist at the time of the revelation of the Quran, in the 7th century CE. Therefore, one cannot find a verse of Quran, or words of the Prophet Muhammad, saying clearly that cigarette smoking is forbidden. However, there are many instances where the Quran gives us general guidelines and calls upon us to use our reason and intelligence, and to seek guidance from Allah about what is right and wrong. Traditionally, Islamic scholars use their knowledge and judgment to make new legal rulings (fatwa) on matters that were not addressed in the official Islamic writings. This approach has support in the official Islamic writings. In the Quran, Allah says, ...he [the Prophet] commands them what is just, and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good, and prohibits them from what is bad...  (Quran 7:157). The Modern Viewpoint In more recent times, as the dangers of tobacco use have been proven beyond any doubt, Islamic scholars have become unanimous in pronouncing that tobacco use is clearly haram (forbidden) to believers. They now use the strongest possible terms to condemn this habit. Here is a clear example: In view of the harm caused by tobacco, growing, trading in and smoking of tobacco are judged to be haram (forbidden). The Prophet, peace be upon him, is reported to have said, Do not harm yourselves or others. Furthermore, tobacco is unwholesome, and God says in the Quran that the Prophet, peace be upon him, enjoins upon them that which is good and pure, and forbids them that which is unwholesome. (Permanent Committee of Academic Research and Fatwa, Saudi Arabia). The fact that many Muslims still smoke is likely because the fatwa opinion is still a relatively recent one, and not all Muslims have  adopted it yet as a cultural norm.