Hong Kong Media and Asia's Cold War

Hong Kong was a key battlefield in Asia's cultural cold war, with an influx of filmmakers, writers, and intellectuals from mainland China transforming it into a hub for mass entertainment and popular publications. The emigre media industry was central to this propaganda and psychological warfare, but the emergence of a new, local-born generation challenged and reshaped the Cold War networks of émigré cultural production, contributing to the decline of Hong Kong's cultural Cold War.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the midst of Asia's cultural cold war, Hong Kong emerged as a pivotal battleground. Following the post-World War II era, a wave of filmmakers, writers, and intellectuals from mainland China flocked to British Hong Kong, transforming it into a vibrant hub for mass entertainment and popular publications. Despite the absence of an organized movement for independence, largely due to its proximity to Mao's China, Hong Kong played a central role in the cultural rivalry between Communist China, Nationalist Taiwan, and the United States. Hong Kong Media and Asia's Cold War delves into the intricate dynamics of how China, Taiwan, and the U.S. engaged in a fierce battle to mobilize Hong Kong cinema and print media to influence ethnic Chinese populations across Southeast Asia and the world. At the heart of this propaganda and psychological warfare was the thriving emigre media industry. This period marked the golden age of Mandarin cinema and popular culture, witnessing the emergence of iconic films, television shows, and musical talents that resonated with audiences across the region. However, the 1967 Riots and the subsequent decades witnessed the emergence of a new generation of locals born and raised in Hong Kong. These individuals challenged and reshaped the Cold War networks of émigré cultural production, contributing to the gradual decline of Hong Kong's cultural Cold War. In his groundbreaking book, Po-Shek Fu explores the intricate interplay between global conflicts and local historical experiences, shedding light on how global events were localized and intertwined with the myriad cultural formations of Hong Kong. Through a wealth of untapped archival materials, contemporary sources, and extensive interviews with filmmakers, magazine editors, and student activists, Fu provides a comprehensive account of this pivotal period in Hong Kong's history. By examining the complexities of cultural production, identity politics, and social change, Hong Kong Media and Asia's Cold War offers a valuable insight into the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region. It serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of cultural exchange on shaping societies and the complex interplay between global forces and local realities.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190073770