On 1 July 2003, more than half a million people took to the streets of Hong Kong to protest against the Article 23 legislation and to demand democracy. The events attracted much international media attention. The Hong Kong crisis became an important issue high on the agenda of the Chinese leadership.

An analysis of the protest rally and subsequent events will certainly be of interest to the general public in the territory as well as to the international community who is concerned with the developments of Hong Kong. The editor has lined up a team of top experts in the territory to discuss the pertinent issues, and their contributions constitute the first authoritative volume on the historic event. The academic experts involved will examine a broad range of subjects; and it is hoped that the readers will have a comprehensive understanding of the significant issues facing Hong Kong at this stage while examining the protest rally on 1 July 2003.

This volume will be of interest to university students and academic in public administration and political science. Media professionals interested in the current affairs in Hong Kong will also find it a handy source of reference.