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The Between China And China

Decent Essays

The theme of duality appears again in the Court of Final Appeal in Central. Opened in 1912 as the site of the Supreme Court, the two-story granite neoclassical-styled building is supported by ionic columns and features a statue of Themis, the Greek Goddess of Justice, who is blindfolded and holds a scale. According to Simon Ng, an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong, “the blindfolded Themis standing right above the royal coat of arms is a visual reiteration of the centuries-old ideal of rule of law that even the sovereign must be subject to the law and reason.” Because of newly instituted western education, Hong Kong became susceptible to the ideas of fairness and impartiality in the justice system, which along with its capitalist economy, further differentiated itself from China. This concept of “one country, two systems” is an important element of Hong Kong governance, and by extension, its people. This represents a time when Hong Kong is slowly pulling its influence away from China.
Due to its insulation from China that ran a communist government, Hong Kong was able to flourish as an international financial center under a free market economy. Thus, it was natural for multinational companies to build their headquarters in Central, Hong Kong’s main business district. However, the lack of space in Central compelled companies to build towering skyscrapers in the late 20th century. The result was a diverse skyline that to this day, showcases some of the best in

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