Identity is an indicator of "the return of people's hearts". People generally have a stronger sense of identity with Hong Kong people than with Chinese people, leaving the impression that national consciousness is weak. The streets named after the Governor, the Crown emblem mailbox and the British-style red telephone box are all that remain. Although it adds a colonial flavor to the special zone, it still has the significance of preserving historical memory. However, after the implementation of the National Anthem Law, incidents of incorrect playing of the national anthem occurred in the international sports world at rugby, baseball, and ice hockey games. Athletes who should have been applauded were involved in the governance issues of sports associations. It also challenged whether Hong Kong people can safeguard the country. Dignity becomes a topic again.
Common polls are misleading
Discussions on identity are often based on questionnaires conducted by polling agencies. Many surveys are designed in an all-or-nothing manner, requiring respondents to indicate whether they are Chinese, Hong Kong, or some other mixed identity.
The problem with this design is that citizens must choose between them. They cannot have both, and they must choose one or the other. How can citizens respond if they value or ignore both identities equally? What is even more misleading is that the two identities are implicitly opposed to each other, that is, the stronger the sense of identity of Hong Kong people, the weaker the sense of identity of Chinese people, and we will never get the result of a strong sense of both.
To break through blind spots, democratic thinking requires citizens to independently rate their identification with the two identities, resulting in completely different results. We found that the majority of citizens have a strong identity with both Chinese and Hong Kong identities, refuting the misunderstanding that "the more they love Hong Kong, the more they are anti-China". Dual identity has always been the majority of society. Although it plummeted during the storm of the legislative amendment, it has gradually recovered and has become the mainstream identity of Hong Kong citizens again since last year.
Prerequisites for loving China and Hong Kong
Our survey is conducted every six months, and the last issue coincided with the 25th anniversary of the handover. The atmosphere of the celebration was high, and dual identity recognition surged by more than 60%, reaching a record high. After the celebration, the current period dropped slightly to 50%, but it was still higher than the level before July 1st.
This phenomenon proves two points: first, publicity and promotion can have temporary effects, so citizens’ identity awareness is strengthened during the event and restored after it ends; second, citizens have got rid of the haze of 2019, because before that year, dual identity The proportion of people who agree has remained between 50% and 60%, and now it has just returned to the previous balance point.
The Mainland and Hong Kong are separated by a narrow strip of water and share weal and woe. Although their lifestyles have their own characteristics, they have more in common through blood, geography, and social connections, making the identities of Chinese and Hong Kong people complementary to each other. Identifying as a Chinese does not necessarily mean being patriotic, and identifying as a Hong Konger does not necessarily mean loving Hong Kong. However, identifying with both identities at the same time is a prerequisite for "patriotism and loving Hong Kong."
Inheriting the history and culture of the Chinese people, adhering to the core values of Hong Kong people, and establishing a solid dual identity will be the greatest magic weapon to unite people's hearts and strength.
Ray Poon
Co-Convenor (Research), Path of Democracy
