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Defying the Dragon: Hong Kong and the World's Largest Dictatorship Hardcover – June 1, 2021

by Stephen Vines (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 50 ratings
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Defying the Dragon tells a remarkable story of audacity: of how the people of Hong Kong challenged the PRC's authority, just as its president reached the height of his powers. Is Xi's China as unshakeable as it seems? What are its real interests in Hong Kong? Why are Beijing's time-honoured means of control no longer working there? And where does this leave Hongkongers themselves?

Stephen Vines has lived in Hong Kong for over three decades. His book shrewdly unpacks the Hong Kong-China relationship and its wider significance--right up to the astonishing convergence of political turmoil and international crisis with Covid-19 and the 2020-21 crackdown.

Vividly describing the uprising from street level, Vines explains how and why it unfolded, and its global repercussions. Now, the international community is reassessing relations with Beijing, just as Hong Kong's rebellion and China's handling of the pandemic have exposed the regime's weakness. In a crisis that has become existential all round, what lies ahead for Hong Kong, China and the world?
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hurst
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    8.7 x 1.5 x 5.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1787384551
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1787384552
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A detailed chronicle of Hong Kong's fight in the face of repression. Anyone who cares about Hong Kong and China will definitely want to read this book."-- Joshua Wong, Hong Kong's most famous democracy advocate

"A definitive, compelling account of a drama that has gripped the world. Vines interweaves frontline reporting, insights from key players and a local's knowledge to chronicle Hong Kong's defiant challenge to the might of Xi Jinping's China." -- Philip Sherwell, Asia correspondent, The Sunday Times

"A superb book about Beijing's ruthless and depressing efforts to stamp out Hong Kong's freedoms, erode its rule of law and attack its identity as an open society. Vines, a brave and distinguished journalist, sets this sad story of a great international city within the brutal politics of the Chinese regime.'"- Lord Chris Patten, last British governor of Hong Kong

"One of the most important stories of our times of the fight against authoritarian regimes. The best way to understand China is through the lens of Hong Kong's struggles."-- Nathan Law, leading democracy activist

"A compelling narrative set against two major crises facing China --control of Hong Kong and unprecedented international pushback. With his signature dry wit and razor-sharp pen, Vines skewers Quislings, dysfunctional bureaucracies and self-interested elites, arguing that we shouldn't bet against Hongkongers just yet."-- Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China and Adjunct Professor, New York University

"Written with honesty and integrity, [Defying the Dragon] chronicles a critical moment in Hong Kong's history as the city prepares for an unclear future."--South China Post Magazine

Book Description

How a popular protest movement has become an existential crisis, for the people of Hong Kong, the Chinese regime and the world order.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hurst (June 1, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1787384551
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1787384552
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.7 x 1.5 x 5.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Vines

Stephen Vines

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Stephen Vines leads a double life as a journalist, writer and broadcaster, combined with running a chain of restaurants, coffee shops and canteens.

He worked for The Observer in many capacities and has also been a correspondent for the BBC, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Independent.

He was the founding editor of Eastern Express, a Hong Kong daily newspaper and the founder and publisher of Spike, a pioneering political and business weekly magazine.

He is the author of several books, including:

Food Gurus, twenty people who have changed the way we eat and think about food,

Hong Kong: China’s New Colony,

The Years of Living Dangerously – Asia from crisis to the New Millennium and

Market Panic - wild gyrations, risks and opportunities in stock markets.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
50 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

mikemedd
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Hong Kong's protest movement
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
I'm well informed about Hong Kong's protest movement so this was more of a refresher for me. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who isn't as familiar and those who want Vines' invaluable insight. Long live Stephen Vines, long live Hong Kong!
2 people found this helpful
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Yiu Wah Chan
5.0 out of 5 stars Record the truth and reality of Hong Kong, Keep the democracy of Hong Kong against Communism
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
It really helps the people understand the background of Hong Kong history, continue to fight the democracy of Hong Kong and feel sorry this great city intentionally destroyed by China and Hong Kong Special Administration Region.

Hong Kongers are turned to be new identity separate from Chinese and their core values (freedom, democracy, rule of law, etc) belong to the world instead of China.
3 people found this helpful
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World Traveller
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb.
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
An absolutely essential read for anyone interested in geopolitics and China's role in it, especially as it relates to the future of Hong Kong and the implications for the wider region.
2 people found this helpful
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Maximus HK
5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable insight into this transition, transformation
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2021
The cover says, "Anyone who cares about Hong Kong and China..." Yes,we DO CARE about China! If you want a real insight into the who's, how's, when's and, especially the why's, this is an invaluable view from the inside looking out. Not prescribed fiction from a freshly painted oratory platform, but good, unbiased, honest journalism.
One person found this helpful
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Stephen Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars gninihw seniV
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
What is Steve Vines ranting about? In Sai Kung Magazine he tears strips off the local coppers, in not one issue but two. The police had the effrontery to come into his garden at night, he writes, while patrolling in their never-ending hunt for burglars.

The same thing happened to us last night. It’s 2am. Torchlight comes flashing through our bedroom windows. We live in O Tau on the edge of the jungle. I realise immediately it’s the police. Burglars would not be using torches.

I open the grill doors and go out in pyjamas. Two uniforms are on our lawn inside our fence. I see they have opened our gate.

“Hello,” I said. “Welcome.” No need to ask what they are doing, it’s obvious. We had a burglary in our building early last year. I mentioned this to the police, pointing out the affected flat, saying I am sure they knew that. They said they did. Both officers spoke in a friendly manner, apologising for waking me. I wished them good night and went back to bed. The officers moved on patrolling the O Tau village.

What’s wrong with that, Steve? They were protecting me and my family and the rest of us in O Tau, just as they were protecting you and yours at Pak Tam Chung. Burglary is rife in Sai Kung, Steve.

I once emailed RTHK’s Phil Whelan when Steve was about to come on his radio programme asking Phil to try to get Steve to say something nice about the Government. Phil replied there was no hope. “It would be like asking a scorpion not to sting you.”
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A solid, accurate account of Hong Kong’s recent history
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
Having lived in Hong Kong for the past 13 years and leaving because of the NSL, this book does a real good job of highlighting what happened in a way that is really easy to read. Recommended reading for anyone who wants an accurate account of what has happened in Hong Kong over the last couple of years. Bravo, Stephen.
5 people found this helpful
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triposP3
5.0 out of 5 stars A+ take on HK in the 2nd decade of the 21st Centuary
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
Hong Kong is torn between two worlds, Stephen does an excellent job in contextualising how the city has arrived at its current sad state and provides analysis on what may lie ahead.
3 people found this helpful
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