Christine Loh - Underground Front: The Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong

Underground Front is a pioneering examination of the role that the Chinese Communist Party has played in Hong Kong since the creation of the party in 1921, through to the present day. The second edition goes into greater depth on the partys view on one country, two systems, patriotism, and elections. The introduction has been extensively revised and the concluding chapter has been completely rewritten in order to give a thorough account of the post-1997 governance and political system in Hong Kong, and where challenges lie. Christine Loh endeavours to keep the data and the materials up to date and to include the discussion of some recent events in Hong Kong. The appendices on the key targets of the partys united front activities also make the book an especially useful read for all who are interested in Hong Kong history and politics, and the history of modern China.

Christine Loh is the chief development strategist at the Institute for the Environment and Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. From 2012 to 2017, she was undersecretary for the environment in the Hong Kong government. A former legislator, and founder of Civic Exchange, a public policy think tank, she had a ringside seat to political events in Hong Kong in the run-up to 1997 and immediately beyond the transition. She is a lawyer by training and a published author of many works.

Although the author calls herself an outsider, this book provides such a distinctly incisive analysis that even an insider will pale by comparison. Christine Lohs exposition of the Communist Partys co-optation and persuasion is particularly revealing for anyone not versed in communist-speak. A must-read for anyone who cares for Hong Kongsimply because the Communist Party in Hong Kong is a heavyweight player in shaping our future.

Ching Cheong

Authoritative, thoroughly researched and lucidly written, Christine Lohs work must be read by everyone who wants to make sense of the Chinese Communist Partys agenda in Hong Kong. This book is remarkable for its fair-mindedness in evaluating the partys record. She provides an absorbing account of its leaders hard-headed pragmatism in tolerating this outpost of colonial and capitalism during the Cold War and the Cultural Revolution. Her analysis of the partys involvement in contemporary Hong Kong is an impressive contribution to our understanding of Beijings expanding involvement in Hong Kong affairs. The author has achieved a notable breakthrough with this fascinating study of a political organisation whose role and influence in Hong Kong have hitherto been shrouded in secrecy.

Leo Goodstadt