Mathematics education in Hong Kong went through various stages of development under the period of British colonial rule for more than a century. Though modern ideas from the West were influential, they were blended with Chinese tradition and local pragmatism, and a localized mathematics curriculum was then eventually consolidated. This was a result of a careful striking of balance between laissez-faire and direct control. Looking back on such historical developments, one may gain insights into the issues induced by the current trend of managerialism and performativity.[Copyright of British Society for the History of Mathematics. Bulletin is the property of Taylor & Francis. Full article may be available at the publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17498430.2012.628480]