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From Social Outcast to Colonial Elite : The Rise of an Eurasian Entrepreneurial Family in Hong Kong

From Social Outcast to Colonial Elite : The Rise of an Eurasian Entrepreneurial Family in Hong Kong. Louella CHENG & WONG Siu-lun Centre of Asian Studies Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities & Social Sciences The University of Hong Kong

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From Social Outcast to Colonial Elite : The Rise of an Eurasian Entrepreneurial Family in Hong Kong

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  1. From Social Outcast to Colonial Elite : The Rise of an Eurasian Entrepreneurial Family in Hong Kong Louella CHENG & WONG Siu-lun Centre of Asian Studies Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities & Social Sciences The University of Hong Kong Rising Dragons, Soaring Bananas International Conference Auckland, New Zealand, 17-19 July 2009

  2. INTRODUCTION • Hong Kong as British colony 1842-1997 • A new social group: the Eurasians • Dubious origins and doubtful prospects • Success story of two brothers • Sir Robert Ho Tung (何東 1862-1957) • Walter Bosman (何啟佳 1867-1946)

  3. Theoretical Ideas Ronald Burt : social network analysis Structural hole : buffer between two clusters Social Brokerage : linkage between disconnected subjects Social innovation : Vision of options otherwise unseen Individual brokerage : middlemen and compradores Institutional brokerage : entrepôts and regional hubs

  4. Historical Background • China, Britain and Hong Kong : a profitable triangle • Hong Kong as regional broker • Special status of Hong Kong • Independent trading unit : Chinese Maritime Customs • Hong Kong dollar : unique economic role • China’s gateway to world markets

  5. Eurasians in Hong Kong • Demographic landscape in 1845 : Chinese inhabitants 95.7% Expatriate community 2.9% British Indian troops 1.4% • Gender imbalance in 1872 : Sex ratio for Chinese 7 : 2 Sex ratio for expatriates 5 : 1 • Sexual liaison across racial divide : Tabooed but inevitable • Emergence of Eurasians as separate social category in 1850s : “a dangerous element out of the dunghill of neglect” (Endacott 1958)

  6. Two Brothers: Ho Tung & Walter Bosman • Father : Charles Henry Maurice Bosman (1839-1892) • Mother : Madame Sze • Ho Tung : initiated a “compradorial” family leading figure of Chinese community twice knighted • Walter Bosman : trained as engineer in England served as captain in Boer War Director of Public Works in Zululand

  7. Ho Tung’s mother, Sze, c. 1890 Source : Frances Tse Liu 2003:10.

  8. Compradores in Ho Tung Family 何東 Ho Tung Jardine, Matheson & Co. 何福Ho Fook Jardine, Matheson & Co. 何甘棠 Ho Kom Tong Jardine, Matheson & Co. 何世亮Ho Sai Leung Jardine, Matheson & Co. 何世耀Ho Sai Iu Jardine, Matheson & Co. 何世榮Ho Sai Wing Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank 何世儉Ho Sai Kim Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank 何世光Ho Sai Kwong E.D. Sasson & Co. 何世奇Ho Sai Ki E.D. Sasson & Co. 何世卓 Ho Sai Cheuk Merchantile Bank 何世華 Ho Sai Wah Merchantile Bank

  9. Ho Tung in Western Costume: Early 1900’s Source : Irene Cheng 1976 : opposite p.1.

  10. Ho Tung in Chinese Costume, 1924 Source : Frances Tse Liu 2003:19.

  11. Robert Ho Tung Source : Florence Yeo 1994:164.

  12. The Defiant Fourth: Walter Bosman 何啟佳 Source : Frances Tse Liu 2003:13.

  13. Walter Bosman 1940 Source : W. Bosman 1940 : cover page.

  14. Brokerages and Innovation • Economic brokerage : compradores • Legal brokerage : British subjects • Socio-political brokerage : Central School • Institutional innovation : rhizomic family mother figures

  15. Thank You

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