Feature: Historical Geographies of Moral RegulationShanzheng (善政) and gongde (公德): moral regulation and narratives of ‘good government’ in colonial Hong Kong
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Private interests versus public goods: the regulation of health and the protection of ‘Hong Kong interests’
It is not accidental that the narrative of ‘good government’ in Hong Kong arose amidst growing concern over the threat of epidemics across the British Empire in the nineteenth century. The emerging belief that health and productivity of populations could be optimized by positive environmental settings provided new impetus for urban reforms, most notably in the expansion of urban services and introduction of building standards that would impart new ‘sanitary norms.’24
Cultivating ‘public spirits’: Henry Blake's plague prevention campaign
The outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1894 precipitated one of the most severe political and economic crises in Hong Kong's history. As in other cities hit by epidemics at this time, the outbreak led to widespread speculation over the causes of disease and much finger pointing at those held responsible for the catastrophe.51
Advocating justice: the inquiry into the administration of the Public Health and Building Ordinance
At the same time that Governor Blake was being commended for his work in the improvement of sanitation and public health, there was, curiously, a concurrent series of investigations into corruption involving government officials at the Public Works and Sanitary Department.89
Localism, nationalism and the narrations of ‘civility’
In hindsight, the irregularities uncovered by the Commission should not have surprised anyone familiar with Hong Kong's context because, as the Commission report itself acknowledged, these practices had long been well known. Nevertheless, the wide publicity of the report incited new public debates over urban improvement, the protection of property rights and accountability of the government. While the English press used the occasion to condemn ‘officialdom’ and push for the establishment of a
Acknowledgment
I would like to thank Stephen Legg and Michael Brown for offering me the opportunity to contribute to this special issue. I am indebted especially to Stephen Legg for his close reading and critical comments, which have been crucial in helping me to improve the paper. I would also like to thank Felix Driver and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions. Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to Mishko Hansen for his unfailing support for my work.