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Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the interaction between self-identity and anti-China sentiments in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This interaction is demonstrated by the political protests in Hong Kong and the election of Tsai Ing-wen. This dissertation is aimed to find out how this interaction affects geopolitical stability in East Asia. This dissertation argues that the Anti-extradition law amendment bill movement and the re-election of Taiwan’s’ Democratic Progressive Party leader, Tsai Ing-wen, are a result of the continuous rise of self-identity and anti-China sentiments within Hong Kong and Taiwan which is also politically destabilizing the region.

To do so, this dissertation will apply identity theories proposed by Anderson (1991) and Horowitz (1985) regarding the formation of nation and identity as an analytical framework in Chapter 2. To understand how the rise of self-identity in Hong Kong and Taiwan may affect regional stability, in Chapter 4, this dissertation will apply neo-realism and liberalism theories of international relations to understand the possible security implications for cross-strait relations. This dissertation has found that the formation and rise of self-identities in Hong Kong and Taiwan are intrinsically linked to their unique histories, and relationship with China. This dissertation has determined that the contending identities vis-à-vis Mainland Chinese identity and nationalism, violates China’s territorial sovereignty, which in turn, destabilized the region.

Course: International Relations and Politics - BA (Hons) - C0694

Date Deposited: 2022-02-18

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13831.html