Hong Kong Culture – Present and Future
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Worksheet (8)
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The idea of a twenty-first century metropolis
challenges Hong Kong culture
Source 1
A short film to promote Brand Hong Kong – Gateways and Portals
1.
The film starts with traditional Chinese background music and shows large traditional
Chinese doors and memorial archways. What do you think is implied?
2.
According to this film, what has brought about the move from tradition to modern age?
3.
This short film makes use of different visual images to show the advantages Hong Kong has
over other cities. Please give two such examples.
4.
How does the film show that Hong Kong is a place where ‘the cultures of the East and the
West merge, where great talents gather together and all the four seas become one’?
5.
The short film includes snapshots taken during the production of the movie ‘The Storm
Riders’ (風雲). What might be the reasons for doing so? Name two.
.
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Source 2
We must do more to provide the cultural infrastructure and community mindset that Hong Kong
is, at the end of the day, a great international city, and not just another city in China.
I have become increasingly concerned since the handover that too many Hong Kong people have
become more inward looking. Understandably perhaps, they have looked towards the mainland at
the expense of our traditional links with the rest of the world. Some are so concerned about
integration that they seem to forget that our strength lies in the separation which is fundamental to
the success of “one country, two systems” – not just for Hong Kong, but for China as well. By
contrast, I have watched with admiration as the mainland has increased its outreach to the
international community.
Speech by the then Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs.Anson Chan, at the Asia Society
luncheon on April 19, 2001.
<www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200104/19/0419138.htm>
6.
According to Source 2, why did Mrs. Anson Chan hope that Hong Kong is not to be satisfied
with just being one of the cities of the mainland but must develop into a great international
city?
Hong Kong Culture – Present and Future
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Why did Mrs. Anson Chan say that she was deeply impressed by the mainland’s increasing
outreach to the international community?
.
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8.
Hong Kong Culture – Present and Future
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In the space below, draw a symbol that you think best represents Hong Kong’s culture.
Hong Kong Culture – Present and Future
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What have you learnt?
You have
1. been exposed to certain characteristics of Hong
Kong culture;
2. reflected on Hong Kong’s cultural development
in the future.
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Hong Kong Culture – Present and Future
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Recommending three articles
Please read the following articles and answer briefly the related questions. This will strengthen your
understanding of Hong Kong culture. You may do this outside lesson time.
Article 1
A powerful and energetic dragon – the body of the dragon
includes both the Chinese characters for ‘Hong Kong’ (香
港 ) and the letters ‘H’ and ‘K’
The Hong Kong visual identity has been designed to
communicate Hong Kong’s link to an historical and cultural
icon. The flowing lines of the dragon also mirror Chinese
calligraphy. This dual expression symbolizes a blend of East
and West that characterizes Hong Kong. The dragon’s
smooth, fluid shape imparts a sense of movement and speed,
communicating that Hong Kong is forever changing. The
visual identity’s dynamic and contemporary rendering
captures Hong Kong’s passion to be daring and innovative,
and a can-do approach towards bringing visionary ideas to
life.
From: Homepage of HKSAR Government
http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/brandhk/cbrand.htm
1.
According to article 1, how does the symbol of the Flying Dragon reflect Hong Kong’s culture
as a blending of the East and the West?
2.
According to the symbol of the Flying Dragon, what qualities are expected of Hong Kong
people when they face the twenty-first century?
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Article 2
The whole process of giving birth to the Flying Dragon shows that the mentality of officials
governing the territory is still very much at a ‘crawling stage’ and far from being ‘a flying dragon
in the sky’. In the eyes of many officials, the people are still the governed, the subject. For the
joyous task of making a symbol for the city, an event that should be uplifting for the people of
the territory, indeed the whole world, only a few officials in authority and the ‘appointed’
designers were invited to get involved.
After Hong Kong’s reunification with China, the overall mood in Hong Kong has been gloomy.
The situation calls for involvement of the people in public affairs and a revitalization of the
spirit. And yet officials have failed to grasp the importance of this rare occasion to stimulate
public excitement.
Had the government resorted to hosting a competition for the best design, no more than one third
of the expenses now incurred would have been enough to attract the participation of top local and
international designers. The whole process of creating the new design would have had the
participation of the public through, for instance, voting on the Internet for the best design. This
would mean publicity for the new design and a higher degree of acceptance by the public.
A new icon should be able to present the spirit of Hong Kong in this new century. It should not
look like a company logo.
The public alone can breathe life into the design. Without the important process of public
participation, of giving it spiritual depth, the new symbol is nothing but a governing tool.
Translated from: 明報「讀者來函」鍾敏：創飛龍標誌，何不讓公眾參與？(15 May, 2001)
3.
Why does the writer of article 2 disagree with the whole process of designing the Flying
Dragon?
4.
According to the writer, what is the advantage of getting the public involved in the process of
designing the symbol?
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Article 3
A visual identity that is Uniquely Hong Kong
The development of the visual identity involved Hong Kong and international design studios.
Hundreds of design options were developed and following initial reviews by SAR Government
representatives, five final designs were subjected to rigorous focus group tests in Hong Kong,
North America, Australia and Europe. The tests clearly demonstrated that the visual identity
finally selected.... was extremely well received and understood by both the Hong Kong and
international groups.
From: Homepage of HKSAR Government
<http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/brandhk/cbrand.htm>
5.
According to article 3, how was the visual identity of Hong Kong developed?
6.
What are the advantages of this process in developing the design?