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By the nineteenth century, with the advance of British colonial activities, British corporate laws had been transplanted to maritime Asia with varying degrees of vigour. In British Hong Kong, these laws often clashed with native customs. Through a reconstruction of the legal disputes found in urban Hong Kong, this paper discusses how British and Chinese business traditions interacted with each other during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Before assessing the historical implications and consequences of these legal decisions, this paper will also explore whether the Chinese institution of tong is compatible with British law in urban Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses debates about Chinese female bondservants ("mui-tsai" or "meizai") in late 19th-century Hong Kong and how they reflect the changing politics and culture of the British colony. Competing views among colonial administrators from Great Britain are discussed, with some seeing this form of involuntary domestic servitude as a violation of the British ban on slavery, and others seeing it as an outdated custom that would fade with the modernization of China. Also discussed is the rise of Chinese elites with enough power to defend the "mui-tsai" system as a respected Chinese custom.

The article discusses the sinking of a British steamship "Kowshing" by the Japanese navy in July 1894. At the time of the sinking, the article indicates, China was leasing the ship to transport troops to Korea. The author focuses on the period after the sinking including Great Britain's diplomatic efforts to have China pay for the damages related to the incident. Topics include the British Foreign Office, international legal experts, and British commercial interests. China's payments to Great Britain for the damages are also discussed.

Describes the extraterritoriality negotiations between Great Britain and China in 1943. British policy on the abolition of extraterritoriality before April 1942; Issue of the future of Hong Kong; British policy towards Hong Kong after January 11, 1943.

Examines Great Britain's attitude towards Hong Kong and the rise of Chinese communism. British Empire, China and Hong Kong in the post war world; Cold war politics and Britain's China and Hong kong policies; Impact of the Korean War on the British attitude towards China and Hong Kong; Sino-British declaration in Hong Kong.