This is an account of the 'middleman' role Hong Kong has played in China's Open Door Policy. It explains the paradoxical situation by which Hong Kong's role as intermediary in China's commodity trade is becoming more prominent in spite of the fact that since the development of the Open Door Policy in 1979 China has established many direct diplomatic, commercial and transportation links with the outside world. The book makes an important contribution to understanding China's various phases of economic reform and its interactions with global economic markets. Moreover, its arrival is timely, given the forced isolation of China after the events in Tiananmen Square in June 1989 as well as the fact that few years remain before Hong Kong ceases to be a British colony to become part of China. Dr Sung predicts that China's demands on Hong Kong's capacity as intermediary will increase dramatically when this happens.

"...this book gives a timely and objective appraisal to the increasingly inter-dependent relationships between Hong Kong and China. The author's effort in assembling, organizing and interpreting the seeming unmanageable Chinese and non-Chinese data is admirable. While thebook is economic in its orientation, the insights are often directly relevant to international business students, teachers and practitioners alike. It is without doubt a valuable addition to one's collection of literature in this area." Journal of International Business Studies

"...a useful academic discussion of Hong Kong's role in China's open-door decade." Madelyn C. Ross, China Business Review

"A stimulating little book." Penelope Hartland-Thunberg, Journal of Comparative Economics