Max WL Wong Knihy

This book offers a comparative analysis of the abolition of concubinage in East Asia, focusing on the Marriage Reform Ordinance introduced in Hong Kong in 1971. It examines how the long-standing practice of concubinage, justified as a protector of Chinese traditions, significantly impacted family law reforms aimed at modernizing the marriage system within Hong Kong's Chinese community post-World War II. The reform was largely driven by pressures from both local and British authorities to align Hong Kong's marriage practices with international treaties. This marked a notable intrusion of colonial law into Hong Kong's social fabric, effectively dismantling recognized Chinese customs within the colonial legal framework. The book contextualizes this reform by analyzing judicial cases that interpreted Chinese customs and the Great Qing Code, providing insight into the status of concubines in Republican China and other East Asian regions. It is particularly relevant for educators, students of law, and researchers in gender studies, post-colonialism, sociology, and cultural studies. The structure includes an introduction to the issues, detailed discussions on concubinage in Chinese law and society, the influence of colonialism, and reflections on the implications of the 1971 reform.