The handover in 1997 saw Hong Kongs smooth transition from colonial to Communist rule under the auspices of the one country, two systems framework. But twenty years on, the real impact of the sovereignty change is just starting to register: the citys near-total economic integration with the mainland, a massive influx of Chinese visitors, simmering cross-border tensions and a rapid erosion of freedoms. Believing that we are stronger and louder together, PEN Hong Kong invited some of Hong Kongs most prominent literary and creative minds to reflect on the citys post-colonial development, in a definitive compendium of essays, poems, fiction and artwork that marks this historical milestone.
PEN Hong Kong ???? is one of the 148 centres of PEN International. Founded in 2016, it is a not-for-profit bilingual society of Hong Kong-based writers, poets, publishers, editors, translators, journalists and academics, aimed at promoting literature and defending the freedom of expression in Hong Kong. For more, visit www.penhongkong.org.
"Hong Kong is one of the worlds greatest cities. It will be at the centre of some of the political and intellectual arguments of the century ahead. My own bet is that the success of Hong Kongs pluralist citizenship will come out on top whatever the challenges. Reading many of the contributions [in Hong Kong 20/20] confirms me in that view." -- Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong "Hong Kong 20/20 is a journey, both bleak and invigorating, through one of the worlds most extraordinary political experiments twenty years after the handover. It is opinionated, combative, energising, and unlikely to be available in a Xinhua bookstore near you." -- Tom Phillips, China correspondent, The Guardian "With original and imaginative interventions into a range of intellectual and personal positions, this anthology brings together our citys leading activists, intellectuals and writers who speak out against the deteriorating situation of the metropolis and contemplate its uncertain future. Their lucid and ingenious writings open up new vistas in our understanding of our past and present relations with China and the world." -- Lo Kwai Cheung, director of Creative & Professional Writing Programme, Hong Kong Baptist University "Seldom before have so many of the clearest-eyed observers provided such a broad set of essays, poems, short stories and cartoons about Hong Kongs evolution. Anyone passionate about the citys future, or even just curious, should read it." -- Keith Bradsher, Shanghai Bureau Chief, The New York Times
