Alternative Development in the Age of Global Capitalism

Alternative Development in the Age of Global Capitalism: Mui Wo, Lantau Island, 1997 - 2013 TANG, Kin Ling A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Studies The Chinese University of Hong Kong February 2014 Abstract As a ‘global city’, Hong Kong has been undergoing endless transformations in the spatial organisation of its core districts over the past few decades. Building after building is demolished and built; road works also go on incessantly. Due to the exigencies of the capitalistic mode of production, space is (re-)organised and rationalised in ways so as to maximise efficiency and to speed up capital value production and social processes in general. Less than an hour’s ferry ride from the heart of urban Hong Kong, however, people disembark at the pier of Mui Wo, Lantau Island to find another story. There, residents rely on cycling as the main means of transport; winding, small paths weave through inland villages; time-space is perceived and experienced in ways distinct from the metropolis. If the destructions and constructions in the Central Business District (CBD) of Hong Kong are ‘common sense’ and epitomise development in the era of global capitalism, how should I make sense of the ‘uncommon’ development of Mui Wo? If what is unfolding in the CBD represents the dominant form of development, is it the only path that we could follow? In this thesis, I critique capitalistic development in the age of global capitalism which, with the agent of the transnational capitalist class and the intervention of government, is leading to the homogenisation of space such that capital can extract its maximum surplus value possible out of space. By discussing the specificity and heterogeneity of the development of Mui Wo, I argue that it provides a case of how development is pursued in an alternative way in the age of global capitalism, that there exists the possibility of pursuing development that is not governed by capital. The marginality and rural traditions of Mui Wo provide resources and inspirations for us to interrogate the assumptions behind capitalistic development, and to see that there are i other possibilities. I am particular interested in the period between 1997 and 2013. My argument is that Mui Wo had been spared from the frenzy of capitalistic development by the opening of Tsing Ma Bridge in 1997 which ended its status as the ‘gateway’ to Lantau Island. For more than a decade, a less busy Mui Wo provided an alternative road to urbanites of the lower classes to experience a way of living that is different from the metropolis. Some independent artists took this opportunity to develop a unique philosophy of arts and living out of the resources and inspirations provided by Mui Wo, including its rural culture, and the people, animals, vegetation, farmlands and nature there. The marginality of these artists, together with the marginality of Mui Wo, is like a critical reflection on the metropolitan core, informing us all is not right in the wider society and the dominant culture. More importantly, through my discussions of this concrete case of Mui Wo, I seek to argue that an alternative path of development, though small, winding and difficult, is not merely a romantic dream, but can actually be reality. ii 全球資本主義下的另類發展：大嶼山梅窩 1997 – 2013 摘要香港作為「全球城市」，過去數十年城市核心的空間布局不斷轉變。建築物相繼推倒再建，道路工程也無日無之。資本主義生產模式的壓迫需求，把空間（重新）組織、理性化，務求令效率極大化，加速資本價值生產和社會過程。然而，距離香港城市心臟地帶不足一小時小輪航程的大嶼山梅窩，卻馬上讓人感受不一樣的故事。當地居民以單車作為主要代步工具；村落裏穿插的是彎彎曲曲的小路；時間與空間的感知和經驗方式，許多方面都與香港大都會大不相同。如果說，香港核心商業區不斷的推倒、建設已屬「常識」，也代表了全球資本主義之下的發展，我們該如何理解梅窩的「非尋常」發展？如果說，核心商業區所出現的代表了主導的發展形式，這又是否我們唯一可以依循的道路？我在本研究批判全球資本主義下的發展，如何在跨國資產階級的力量和政府干預的推動之下，令空間同質化，使資本可以從空間搾取最大的剩餘價值。通過討論梅窩發展的獨特性和異質性，我的論點是，梅窩展示了全球資本主義下另類發展的可能；也就是說，不受資本宰制的發展方式是可能、也是可行的。還有，世上並非只有一條放諸四海皆準的金光發展大道。梅窩的邊緣性和鄉村傳統，為我們提供資源和啟發，詰問資本主義發展背後的種種假設。本研究特別聚焦於一九九七至二零一三年這段時間。一九九七年，青馬大橋通車，令梅窩失去作為大嶼山「窗口」的地位。在隨後的超過十年期間，梅窩失去昔日的繁華，卻造就了另一條道路，讓市區基層人士也能體驗一種有別於大都會的生活方式。一些獨立藝術家也憑借梅窩的鄉村文化，同時受到當地人、動植物、田野提供的資源所啟發，發展出獨 iii 特的藝術和生活觀。這些藝術家與梅窩的邊綠性就如大都會核心的一面批判鏡子，反映社會及主流文化的問題。更重要的是，我希望通過梅窩這個具體例子，說明另類發展這條道路儘管又彎又小，而且十分艱難，但它並非僅是浪漫的白日夢，而是可以發生的現實。 iv Acknowledgements First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to all people, animals and plants in Mui Wo, as well as its sandy beach, small hills, moonlit creeks, and starry nights... Everything in Mui Wo provides the sources of inspiration for this research. Much more than a subject of study, it was also the place where I could indulge myself in countless days and nights of reading and writing over the past 6 years or so. I might at times complain for the frustrations that I encountered during the course of my research, but at the end of the day I have always felt blessed for being able to call Mui Wo home. Among the inhabitants of Mui Wo, I would like to thank Chor Say in particular who kept me company while I was writing this disseration. The witty feline is the latest affected of rent hikes in Mui Wo and has moved to an industrial building in Kwun Tong with her guitar-making owner. I wish both of them well in their new home. I wish to thank all my interviewees who took their time to talk to me for the purpose of this research. Many a time their remarks enlightened me with new thinking and perspectives. Special mention must be made of resident Blondie whose plain language is always to the point and impressive. In every way he showed me the futility of expressing one’s ideas in clumsy, codified language. I must also thank my advisor, Professor Laikwan Pang, who has been a constant and great source of intellectual inspiration, while leaving me with the liberty to develop my own thesis. Her questions and remarks have allowed me to see the weakness and potential of my work. With her advice, the dissertation has simply taken on a better shape. My thanks equally go to Professor Desmond Hui, who had advised me earlier on in my PhD study before he moved on to other endeavours. Dr Nick Chu also gave me a v lot of insights on the theoretical ground. I am indebted to him in the formation of some of the main ideas in this dissertation, especially those found in Chapters 3 and 5. I have also benefited much from the discussions and knowledge of teaching staff and fellow graduate students at the Graduate Division of Cultural Studies of CUHK. I would also like to thank two teachers from my days studying MA in Translation and Interpretation. Dr Rachel Lung is always ready to encourage and support my academic pursuit throughout these years. Just as I thought I was not apt for academic research, Professor Longxi Zhang ignited the spark of intellectual interest in me through his lectures and project advice. Last but not least, my greatest gratitude goes to Fun Yuen, who is always the first to read my manuscript; and Hoi-yan Au, who is an acute observer. My research work is simply not possible without their continuing support, criticisms and feedback. I am grateful to have two friends who would not hesitate in engaging themselves in serious and sometimes difficult debates with me. I would like to dedicate this work to my parents who from my early years have given me both the freedom and support needed to pursue my interests. vi Table of Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ v Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1 Introduction: Two tales of a city ..................................................................... 1 i. Mui Wo, Lantau Island ........................................................................................ 1 ii. The metropolis .................................................................................................... 5 iii. Mui Wo from 1997 to 2013: a unique time and space .......................................... 9 iv. To cry, or not to cry? Opening of Tsing Ma Bridge ............................................ 13 v. Alternative Development in the Age of Global Capitalism ................................. 34 vi. Mui Wo in the metropolis .................................................................................. 44 vii. Alive or dead? When capital penetrates the land ................................................ 52 viii. About the project ............................................................................................... 55 ix. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 63 Chapter 2 Government-led development and homogenisation of space ........................ 65 i. State-led development ....................................................................................... 66 ii. Industrialisation-urbanisation ............................................................................ 71 iii. The ‘New Territories’ ........................................................................................ 74 iv. The Great Transformation ................................................................................. 79 v. A more compliant Heung Yee Kuk .................................................................... 82 vi. The New Territories as a heterogeneous community .......................................... 88 vii. Urbanisation as a result of industrialisation........................................................ 94 viii. Production of a themed touristic town ..............................................................

Load more