Harmony and Duality: The British- Chinese Dialogue in 19th Century Hong Kong Visual Culture and Urban Spaces

This paper explores the rise of a novel class of wealthy Chinese collaborators with the British deemed the comprador bourgeoisie and their role in shaping Hong Kong identity in the 19th century through the process of collaborative colonialism. Following China’s economic loss and turmoil caused by the Opium War, Hong Kong was ceded to the Queen as a British colony. However, unlike other British colonies, the people of Hong Kong did not stay under absolute control of British rule. Members of the Chinese community instead collaborated with the British as a means to gain political representation and influence among both the Chinese and British, in the end becoming the ‘middle-men’ between the two communities. These middle-men created a new class termed the Chinese comprador bourgeoisie, as they used their knowledge and influence among the Chinese community as natives to Hong Kong when working with the British, becoming an agent to foreigners. Their collaboration helped them become even wealthier and more influential, hence the term “bourgeoisie.” Specifically, my paper examines the visual culture and urban landscape of Hong Kong, dissecting the key buildings and paintings created in 19th century Hong Kong in order to further understand the complex dynamics of the Chinese and British collaborative relationship.