By Dorothy Cheung - a Hong Konger
ETHNIC IDENTITY
OF THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/08/26/almost-nobody-in-hong-kong-under-30-identifies-as-chinese
Further readings:http://chinatravelwriter.com/blog/2015/07/04/how-true-are-the-hong-kong-is-not-china-images/
https://cpj.org/rep orts/2019/12/one-country-one-censor-china-hong-kong-taiwan-press-freedom/
AS POLITICAL CHAOS RECOMMENCE AFTER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
A Brief history of Hong Kong
In the mid 19th century, parts of Hong Kong was ceded and leased to Britain
until the whole city was under her rule. The takeover was on 1st July 1997 and
from the day onward, the city follows its own mini-constitution that remains
valid for fifty years. It promises the continuation of capitalism, judiciary
independence and eventual universal suffrage.
After that, there were several significant mass rallies that drove worldwide
awareness to the communist party's unwarranted interference with the city.
Significant demonstrations include the anti-subversion law (Article 23) march
in 2003, the umbrella movement in 2014 and the unceasing anti-extradition
movement that commenced last June.
"Ethnic identity is defined as a sense of belonging based on one's ancestry, cultural heritage, values, traditions, rituals, and often language and religion."
(Definition from International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition), 2015)
https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/inclusion/archive/archive-resources/inclusiongroups/inclusionethnicminorities/InclusionUnderpinningPrinciples/
% of respondents identifying themselves as
"Hong Konger" since 1997
60%
40%
20%
In 2019 June, 7.63 out of
10 identify themselves as
"HONG KONGER*" while
only 2.31 as "CHINESE**"
18
20
15
20
12
20
09
20
06
03
20
00
20
20
19
97
0%
It reached a new high in 2019 as more felt
estranged when the government proposed
a now withdrawn extradition bill, setting
off continuous mass protests across the
city for freedom and democracy.
*Respondents who chose "Hong Konger" or "Hong Konger in China"
**Repondents who chose "Chinese" or "Chinese in Hong Kong"
POSSIBLE REASONS
OF HIGH IDENTICATION AS HKER OVER CHINESE
1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Mainland China:
Always been under
Totalitarian rule
(Before: Emperors; Now: CPC)
HK:
Had experienced
Western governance
before the turnover
2. SPOKEN LANGUAGE AND WRITTEN CHARACTERS
HK:
Common Spoken Language:
Southern
dialect Cantonese, English
Written Characters:
Traditional Chinese
⾶
⿓
(9 TONES)
⻜
⻰
(4 TONES)
Mainland China:
Common Spoken Language:
Regional dialect, Mandarin
Written Characters:
Simplified Chinese
3. ACCESS OF INFORMATION
HK:
Media: Uncontrolled
Youtube, IG, Telegram etc.
News:
Range from far right to left
4. POLITICAL SYSTEM
HK:
Seperation of power
Economy:
Capitalism
(Theorectically)
Mainland China:
Media: Under the
"Great Internet Firewall"
Bilibili, Weibo, QQ etc
News:
Favours CPC
Mainland China:
Party-led system
Economy:
"Socialist market economy"
Cliparts: Local Studio HK, https://www.facebook.com/pg/localstudiohongkong/photos/?ref=page_internal ;
Google search history clipart: https://www.imgbin.com
China's political system: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zptxxnb/revision/4 + own knkowledge from Liberal Studies
Poll results from HKU POP Site: https://www.hkupop.hku.hk/english/popexpress/ethnic/eidentity/halfyr/datatables.html