Author

Lily Gonzales

Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Shi, Xia

Area of Concentration

History

Abstract

This thesis brings attention to a neglected corner of British-Chinese history, and on the dubious history of the anomaly that was the Walled City of Kowloon. It analyzes newspaper articles about the Walled City of Kowloon from the years 1898 to 1995 to understand how the British media perceived the Walled City during the time period. It also sheds light on how these perceptions potentially played a part in the demise of the Walled City as well as its longevity. A thorough analysis of the newspapers’ word choice, rhetorical devices, tone and the like clearly shows the shifts and trend in British media representation of Kowloon Walled City during different historical periods. Finally, this thesis argues that the perceptions of the Walled City not only contributed to its demolition in 1992-1995, but also help to explain the ninety-six years that the Walled City survived in, being largely neglected by the two countries that both claimed jurisdiction over it.

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