Hong Kong as a Multicultural City

980 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Demerits and merits of multiculturalism

HONG KONG AS A MULTICULTURAL CITY

Whenever people mention Hong Kong in the context of where it stands on a global front, they always talk about it being a colonial city that worked its way through post colonization and successfully established itself as a world-renowned city. Or they talk about how it has recognized itself as a world-class city by excelling on the economic fore front and becoming one of the worlds leading international financial centres. However, people barely associate Hong Kong with being a multicultural city. Why is that so? Is it because the locals of Hong Kong are keener on promoting traditional culture than diversity? Or is it because multiculturalism creates more tension amongst the residents than brotherhood? Through this paper I would like to explore Hong Kong from the perspective of being a multicultural city, building up on how colonization established multiculturalism in Hong Kong and leading on to how multiculturalism affects Hong Kong as a global city, in today’s world.

But before exploring multiculturalism through the eyes of Hong Kong, we need to figure out what multiculturalism really means. Multiculturalism can be defined either descriptively or normatively. In a descriptive sense, multiculturalism can be defined as the mere survival of a diverse group of people, in a specific regional context (Webster Dictionary). Whereas the Princeton dictionary defines multiculturalism, in a normative sense, to be the laying down of certain rules and policies in order to promote peaceful and equitable co-existence amongst various cultural groups, in a single country. Hong Kong definitely meets the criteria of being a descriptive multicultural city. But does it meet the normativ...

... middle of paper ...

...om the perspective of a multicultural city, it does not. To be a world-class city it needs to establish itself as a strong multicultural city that is respectful of all its citizens, regardless of gender, colour, class and age (Sung, 2013). Hong Kong needs to re-assure the world that it will treat tourists and immigrants with respect and that their safety and well being will be taken into consideration. With the increasing worldwide competition to be the “best” city, it is vital that the Hong Kong government and citizens understand the importance of having collaborative workgroups. Hong Kong needs to come to terms with the fact that promoting multiculturalism will not necessarily make them lose ground with their cultural identity (Sung, 2013). If Hong Kong wants to be recognized on a global platform it needs to expand the definition of being a Hongkonger (Sung, 2013

Show More
Related

  • Commentary on “Canadian Multiculturalism: Global Anxieties and Local Debates by Keith Banting and Will Kymlicka

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    The mention of the abolition of multiculturalism for a “new” post-multiculturalist approach becomes difficult to understand. It claims, “to avoid the ‘excesses’ of multiculturalism” (47), however where does this notable governmental and social switch take place? How is the term coined, and how is it understood in theory versus in practice? How is it different from its predecessor? Even the classification of history struggles to define what is considered to be modern, let alone post-modern, and yet the term suggests a positive approach to alleviating difficult assimilation projects similar to those faced elsewhere (47). This notion may developed on the grounds of “someone else’s problems” ¬– in regards to its Canadian context – as a means to label, or justify, miscellaneous aspects of multiculturalism. However, with the government-wide commitment to policies and programs, in conjunction with social understanding, it naturally becomes subject to a wide array of differing opinions. As both immigration and citizenship policies change, its public reception often shifts as well. Especially since the channels referred to within the ‘multiculturalism...

    Read More

  • The Perpetuation of Racism in Canada by the Mainstream News Media

    3978 Words  | 8 Pages

    36 Fleras, Augie, and Jean Leonard Elliott. Engaging Diversity: Multiculturalism in Canada. Toronto: Nelson, 2002: 171.

    Read More

  • Effects Of Imperialism

    770 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hong Kong Reading - "The Book of the Year" Through imperialism, British rule encouraged industrialization and modernization which led to visible growth in the economy as the city is described as a trade center and important in manufacturing and banking, which suggests that the industries and businesses prospered. Additionally, the fear of Chinese rule suggests that businesses operated better under British rule, which shows how imperialism improved the lives of the people of Hong Kong compared to the government before imperial rule. The way that citizens of Hong Kong left the colony before it was returned to China further highlights the different effects of British rule and Chinese rule on the people, suggesting that British rule was preferred by the citizens of Hong Kong which is why they left rather than live under Chinese rule. This implies that the colonized people considered Great Britain’s imperialist rule to be better than the government before which was Chinese. This demonstrates that imperialism improved the lives of the colonized people because it helped the economy grow and prosper.

    Read More

  • The Cultural Diversity in Canada: Chinese Canadians

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    Canada is known for being the country filled with all different type of people from all around the world. The community that I have chosen to look in depth is Canadian Chinese.

    Read More

  • Benefits Of Multiculturalism In Canadian Society

    839 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today in Canada it is not uncommon to see people of various races, ethnic backgrounds or cultural groups living within a mutual society; commonly known as multiculturalism. Multiculturalism refers to the presence of, or support for the presence of several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society. As the topic becomes more more popular due to news events and social media debates, multiculturalism gets twisted and misunderstood. In essence, multiculturalism is not about dwelling on about our differences, it is about emphasizing our commonality. Diversity of the human race has the power to unify society and make it stronger. Firstly, innovation

    Read More

  • Christian Influence on Shanghai

    1223 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...s due to the rising number of Christian immigrants arriving in Shanghai, the pace of the city will soon catch up with them as well. Shanghai currently moves in a more cosmopolitan direction, but its cultural mosaic may meld together as globalization pushes onwards and human cultures converge.

    Read More

  • Essay On Cultural Identity In Hong Kong

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    Refer to Cheng and Wong, they stated that Hong Kong people have confused their original identity as Chinese as well as the British colonist identity. After the colonization of Hong Kong by British government, some of Hong Kong people think that they lost their British colonist identity and feel more unstable and worried to their cultural identity (71-73). In additions, many Hong Kong people fear to the handover in 1997, and even refused the Chinese identity (Lau 3). Therefore, owing to the historical factor, Hong Kong people are still confusing for their hybrid identity, which emerged a sense of “rootlessness” and drives to a crisis of self-identification. People who can’t define their genuine identity clearly, therefore, they still look for and pursuit their “root”

    Read More

  • Informative Essay: Unravelling The Secrets Of Chinatown

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    Melbourne’s Chinatown has been an integral part of the City of Melbourne since the goldrush days of the 1850s. It is a distinctive and iconic precinct in Melbourne, and importantly, the longest continuous Chinese settlement

    Read More

  • Multiculturalism In Canada

    222 Words  | 1 Pages

    Multiculturalism builds diversity and helps shape Canadian wellbeing. In Canada, multiculturalism builds character and diversity. A successful community thrives with a large diverse population that consists of several different religious, and cultural viewpoints. The quote, “Multiculturalism exists when people accept and encourage many cultures to thrive in a society”(A Multicultural Canada 5), demonstrates how multiculturalism is a necessity to a thriving civilization. In addition, Canadian’s are open to learn about other cultures and beliefs to better ones relations with other ethnicities. The meaning of being canadian is to be accepting and encouraging as portrayed in the quote, “Part of being Canadian is to recognize the value and dignity

    Read More

  • Multiculturalism In French Immmersion Theme

    832 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of multiculturalism is that there are many different cultures in Canada that somehow manage to live in harmony. This movie depicts a variety of different cultures all coming together in one of the most nationalist cities in Quebec, and eventually getting along. It is important to see that though there are different cultures there is still love between individuals of these cultures, stereotypes that are in common, and humour to be made out of the differences, which are all larger than any territorial and linguistic boundaries. This movie also shows the issue with bilingualism which is another important part of Canada’s heritage but encourages the idea that bilingualism policies could create a more unified Canada. In a course on multiculturalism it is important to understand the ideology of these policies and how they work in practice which this movie depicts really

    Read More

  • The Failure Of Multiculturalism By Kenan Malik

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his article “The Failure of Multiculturalism”, Kenan Malik uses the diverse European culture to study and explain the irony of multiculturalism. He defines multiculturalism as “the embrace of an inclusive, diverse society” (Malik 21). Integration between cultures is practically inevitable, but several nations view this as a threat towards upholding their culture. Due to this, many countries have made attempts at properly integrating new people and ideas while trying to prevent the degradation of their own. This can result in unjust regulations and the reverse effect of an intended multicultural society.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Multiculturalism In Canada

    1807 Words  | 4 Pages

    In many instances, many deferent types of culture and identity had been merged into Canada like a big boiling pot being filled with many different ingredients whether they work together or don’t. But, whether the different ingredients work together or not is not what matter, because the end result is what Canada’s identity will stay as and will forever be remembering as. Going back to whether Canada becoming multicultural in 1971, the facts would prove that this statement is untrue because Canada had already been inhabited by so many different types of people whether it be religion, culture or identity. Canadian identity is the topic of today and where a few of the different types of identities had come from to form into one to create a singular identity for Canadians and more importantly, Canada. The greatest contributor to Canada’s identity is it’s multiculturalism throughout its history since its creation. This essay will explore different historical events and quirky cultures that help to show how much Canadian multiculturalism is intertwined in its

    Read More

  • Chinatown Research Paper

    512 Words  | 2 Pages

    The “city within a city,” as Chinatown is sometimes called was established as a neighborhood by immigrant Chinese workers. This 24-block area near the Financial District represents the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America. It is a vibrant center of San Francisco and despite the throngs of visitors who come for a “taste” of China, it maintains its significance to the Chinese community.

    Read More

  • Multicultural Culture Essay

    1108 Words  | 3 Pages

    The greatest example of multiculturalism today is the world of electronic dance music festivals, and music festivals in general. These large festivals attract crowds well over 100,000 attendees, many of which are from all different types of backgrounds. For example, Electronic Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada which is held annually every June, attracts hundreds of thousands of individuals all coming together to celebrate their love of dance music. At Electronic Daisy Carnival or EDC as it is known, no judgments are passed on people for any reason such as race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or age. Everyone that attends is treated with love and respect. Many people who attend these festivals have a motto that they base their actions on known as P.L.U.R. which stands for peace, love, unity, and respect. You treat others with love kindness and respect in order to have unity, not many other places or events can boast that this type of interaction amongst individuals can be achieved. At EDC everyone is treated as equals, no one group who feels that they are better than another group for any reason. Unfortunately, in other aspects of our society there is an emphasis on seeing the differences in one another, which divides people instead of bringing them closer to help achieve a multicultural world. The unfortunate

    Read More

  • Tibetan Education

    5670 Words  | 12 Pages

    ...emise of Multiculturalism?” 1998 World Congress of Sociology. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 26 July- 1 August 1998.

    Read More

More about Hong Kong as a Multicultural City

Open Document