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The Great Escape to Hong Kong: Meanings and Implications in Historical and Transnational Contexts
Xiaoyan, Li
Xiaoyan, Li
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Abstract
This study examines the lived experiences of Chinese sent-down youth who escaped from Guangdong to Hong Kong during the Cultural Revolution. Drawing on trauma-informed oral history interviews with survivors, the research investigates their motivations to flee, the conditions that compelled their decisions, and how they understand their choices in retrospect. The narratives reveal a complex interplay of personal trauma, systemic oppression, and collective agency, highlighting how oppressive living conditions and cultural repression spurred acts of resistance and pursuit of freedom. A "culture of escape" emerged among these youth, fostering networks and strategies for survival and rebellion against an authoritarian regime. The findings underscore the enduring impact of this history on survivors and the importance of memory in reclaiming agency and identity.
Description
These are the slides from a presentation given at the Great Escape to Hong Kong: Meanings and Implications in Historical and Transnational Contexts held in Los Angeles on 06/08/2025.
Date
2025-06-08
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University of Kansas
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Keywords
Mobility, Agency, Cultural memory, Oral history