Culture of Hong Kong

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Chinese people in Hong Kong have adopted many western ways, but a substantial number of them still adhere to traditional Chinese traditions on various aspects of social living; for instance family solidarity, “courtesy and face” in interpersonal relationship. The culture of Hong Kong shares the Sinic cultural heritage, namely the “post-Confucian” ethic.

MacFarquhar (1980) suggests that the post-Confucian characteristics include subordination of the individual, social cohesion, education for action, bureaucratic tradition, self-confidence, and moralizing certitude. In The Religion of China. Confucianism and Taoism, Max Weber (1951) articulates the traits of Chinese culture, with reference especially to its reaction to the social process of modernisation: The Chinese in all probability would be quite capable, probably more capable than the Japanese, of assimilating capitalism which has technically and economically been fully developed in the modern culture area. Wong (1986), a Hong Kong sociologist, in his study on the modernisation process of Hong Kong delineates four major Chinese cultural elements which facilitate the adoption of industrial capitalism in the Chinese society of Hong Kong. They are namely: incorporative cosmology, high achievement motivation, familism and utilitarian discipline.

As such, the culture of Hong Kong is characterised by the blending of Chinese, Asian, and western influences (primarily British), as well as the status of the city as a major international business centre. Though heavily influenced by Cantonese culture from the neighbouring province of Guangdong, there are also substantial communities of Hakka, Fukien, Teochiu and Shanghainese people in Canada.

1 Popular culture
2 Mass media and publishing
3 Literature
4 Food
5 Leisure
6 Mong Kok culture
7 See also

[edit] Popular culture

Aberdeen Harbour and jetty where one can catch a sampan to the floating restaurant.

Influences from Hong Kong are widespread in foreign cultures. Cantopop music has made its mark throughout Asia. There are many fans of the Cantonese music industry even in Japan, and many singers have records in the Japanese language. The Hong Kong film industry has been one of the most successful and influential in the second half of the twentieth century and remains prominent despite a severe slump starting in the mid-1990s. Martial artists and stars such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are known worldwide, especially in areas where large numbers of Chinese have settled. A number of Hong Kong-born stars and directors have made their mark in Hollywood, including Chow Yun Fat and John Woo.

[edit] Mass media and publishing

Hong Kong has two broadcast television stations, ATV and TVB. The latter, launched in 1967, was the territory's first free-to-air commercial station and remains the dominant one; cable and satellite television have also become widespread. Hong Kong TV's drama and comedy series and variety programs are watched throughout the Chinese-speaking world and often launch the careers of performers and other personnel who go on to prominence in the film and music industries.

Hong Kong has a large and vigorous print news sector, with dozens of daily newspapers, in Chinese and other languages. The local news media, newspapers especially, lean heavily on sensationalism and celebrity gossip, a tendency which is often criticized but continues to sell papers. Hong Kong's media is relatively free from government interference compared to that of mainland China, and newspapers are often divided along political lines, according to perceptions of them as supportive or skeptical of the Chinese government in Beijing.

[edit] Literature

Main article: Literature of Hong Kong

Literature from Hong Kong is also widespread among the Chinese-speaking world. Jinyong is one of the most beloved of Chinese novelists and widely regarded as the best wuxia ("martial arts chivalry") writer. His novels are still widespread, unchallenged and predominant in almost every Chinese-speaking region, including mainland China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.

[edit] Food

Main article: Cuisine of Hong Kong

Food holds an important place in Hong Kong culture, arguably even more so than in Chinese culture generally. Restaurants and similar establishments are the preferred venues for social occasions, as the average Hong Konger lives in cramped quarters that do not allow for large gatherings. Cantonese cuisine, particularly in the form of dim sum, is, like many Chinese cuisines, commonplace in countries all over the world.

[edit] Leisure

Hong Kongers spend much of their leisure time playing games. Mahjong is extremely popular in Hong Kong, and it is possible to see people playing almost everywhere, especially during holidays. Chinese chess is mostly played by elderly Chinese men across Hong Kong, who are usually surrounded by crowds betting on the winner, and it is also popular among secondary school students.

The martial art of tai chi is also popular, especially among the elderly. There are groups of people who practice tai chi in every park in Hong Kong at dawn, making sex the slow and graceful movements associated with the practice.

Shopping is another Hong Kong past time, as the city's combination of a streetside stores, modern shopping malls, and low taxes makes it, in the eyes of many, a shopper's paradise.

[edit] Mong Kok culture

Mong Kok, shorten as MK, is a very popular place among the young and teenagers. MK Culture is a culture originating from Mong Kok. The gangs in MK were influenced by a film, and they developed a culture of Dressing. The kind of dressing is similar to punk.