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Hong Kong at 25
CommentHong Kong
Eliott Suen
Eliott Suen

Opinion | Hong Kong can give the world some much-needed perspective on China and its rich culture

  • As a hub for cultural exchange, Hong Kong can bring nuance and colour to a world view on China that remains too simplistic
  • But to do so, Hongkongers must first learn to embrace, and love, Chinese culture themselves

Reading Time:3 minutes
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A Chinese junk sails across Victoria Harbour to mark the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule. Photo: AP
Eliott Suen
For Hong Kong youth, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China is an important moment to re-evaluate our relationship with our heritage and culture.
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The contest of the 21st century is one of cultural values and systems. Young minds in the digital age face a constant barrage of information, much of it biased and based on factors including the platforms we choose, our patterns of consumption, and advertising money spent on trending topics.

Because of this, we are seeing a steady rise in clashes over values that lack nuance or context. China’s meteoric rise to prosperity and superpower status has alarmed many. This sense of discomfort is often unfounded and rooted in a lack of perspective.

Perspective is Hong Kong’s greatest asset. We live in an open society that embraces people from all walks of life. We absorb ideas and values from the East and the West. Our city is a cosmopolitan and hyperactive melting pot that bustles with diversity and change.

We are in the best position to cultivate understanding and resolve contextual conflicts. It is no coincidence that, in its 14th five-year plan, China appointed Hong Kong as the hub for cultural and artistic exchanges between China and foreign countries.
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So where do we start? With a page out of the Confucian playbook on introspection. To grant others perspective, we must first develop our own. To do so, we must study our Chinese culture and heritage.

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