Two exhibitions between two major strikes: exhibiting Hong Kong at British empire exhibition in 1924 and 1925

Abstract

In 1924 and 1925, British governments organised two rounds of British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, London. With the participation of all British colonies, the Exhibitions aimed to demonstrate national strength, establish economic ties and construct a sense of community among the coloniser and her colonies. Hong Kong participated by constructing a Pavilion with exhibits that produced in Hong Kong. This paper outlines the politics between Hong Kong and London during the organisation of the Pavilion, examines the representation of Hong Kong in the Pavilion and discusses the reception among local Chinese community. This is an archival research that draws on historical archives, official catalogues and archival data of other kinds. This paper includes three major observations. (1) Politics between Hong Kong and London: Hong Kong government originally declined to participate as they failed to identify appropriate exhibits that London expected and found it financially unfeasible. However, Hong Kong government participated shortly before the event with the support by local Chinese elites. (2) Representation of Hong Kong: Hong Kong is exhibited as a Chinese community through its exhibits (e.g., showcase of Chinese medicine and demonstration of silk production) and the Pavilion (i.e. a China street with a building with Chinese architectural style). (3) Identity construction: The Exhibitions failed to create an imagination of a British community among local Chinese community. Having said that, this paper concludes that the Exhibition successfully strengthened Hong Kong government’s collaboration with local Chinese elites. Such a collaboration is particularly critical to the governance of Hong Kong during 1920s amid the surge of Chinese nationalism and imperialist expansion of Britain.