Hong Kong’s growing sense of identity as a Chinese city is natural and should be embraced

2020 was a watershed year for the SAR, with the introduction of the national security law and others that will strengthen its sense of belonging to China
The city will take the transformation in its stride. Some Hongkongers will leave, but they will be replaced by others drawn to the possibilities of change

Justin Bong-Kwan

Published: 6:45am, 16 Jan 2021

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With mass coronavirus vaccinations set to be available next month, the possibility for Hong Kong to return to some semblance of normality seems to be on the horizon. Yet, 2021 will see the city adjusting to a new normal, one that is underscored by a more defined national identity and a stronger sense of belonging in its relationship with the rest of China.

While Hong Kong has reverted to being an integral part of China since the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, 2020 marked a watershed for Hong Kong’s cognisance of its contemporary identity.

On June 30, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed Hong Kong’s national security law, establishing boundaries in matters of sovereignty. The dignity of the March of the Volunteers is now safeguarded by the National Anthem Ordinance, which came into effect in the same month.

In October, the NPC Standing Committee endorsed amendments to the National Flag Law and the National Emblem Law, which will be implemented by amendments to Hong Kong’s National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance.

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Recent events have shown that national sovereignty must be respected by legislators, who will otherwise be barred from holding office. Public officials are now required to take an oath pledging allegiance to China and Hong Kong.

It is arguable that these developments are a natural progression in the city’s transformation from a British dependent territory to a Chinese special administrative region.

In 1967, UK minister of state Judith Hart said: “Hong Kong is in a completely different position from any other of our colonies. For international reasons alone, there are problems in planning for the usual orderly progress towards self-government. Because of Hong Kong’s particular relationship with China, it would not be possible to think of the normal self-government.”

Developments over the past year reinforce this point. Accordingly, these developments will bring about a more conscious acceptance and acknowledgement by Hong Kong of its national identity.

Moving forward, Hong Kong can expect a stronger sense of national identity not only in name but also in more practical terms in the context of China’s overall national development.

As evident in her 2020 policy address, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s policies and initiatives for the year aim to ramp up integration of Hong Kong into the Greater Bay Area. Projects include development of the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Cooperation Zone, and the launch of the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme.

Past experience suggests that Hong Kong will take change in its stride. Constant change has always been part and parcel of life here. The city’s skyline is perpetually being reshaped. Stability can give way to upheaval at the blink of an eye. Change is the only constant.

Those reluctant to accept change will leave. Some will head to the UK under the new resettlement scheme available to those holding British National (Overseas) status.

However, in their stead will come those who find Hong Kong’s characteristic ebb and flow invigorating and inspiring. Indeed, the government has plans to attract more non-local talent to the city.

Hong Kong will continue to change with the times and adapt. For a place that was described in 1841 as “a barren island with hardly a house upon it”, it is this pioneering spirit that has come to define the success story of today’s Hong Kong, and will continue to do so as the new status quo continues to take shape.

Hong Kong will take the ball and run with it. In the words of Jean-Paul Sartre: “You can always make something out of what you’ve been made into.”

Justin Bong-Kwan is a practising barrister and a freelance writer based in Hong Kong