The Gate and the Wall

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A delightful piece of writing and research that delves into the remarkable history behind the handover of a unique city. This superb history chronicles the rise of China and the fall of Hong Kong to authoritarian rule, offering unique insights through Michael Sheridan's eyewitness reporting over three decades, interviews with key figures, and archival documents from China and the West. The narrative spans from early trade days and the Opium Wars of the 19th century to globalization and the handover from Britain to China, culminating in the struggle for democracy on Hong Kong's streets and the Chinese Communist Party's eventual victory. The book reveals Margaret Thatcher's private anguish over Hong Kong's fate, her secret American briefings, and the complexities of the deal made with Beijing, which ultimately failed. The Chinese perspective, often overlooked, emerges through memoirs and documents, showcasing the party's iron will and negotiation tactics. Yet the voices of Hong Kong residents—eloquent, intelligent, and courageous—resonate with ideals that refuse to fade. Sheridan's work illustrates how Hong Kong paved the way for the People's Republic, reshaping its economy and challenging the West with a new order that raises essential questions about progress, identity, and freedom. It is essential reading for anyone studying or engaging with China.