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Willa Wu

A whirlwind visit to Hong Kong by mainland Chinese Olympians who were warmly embraced by residents has shown the “comfortable” coexistence of local and national identities in a new political atmosphere, experts have said.
An education sector representative on Monday also said the visit was a “soft but powerful” approach to promoting patriotism among young people.
The 65-member delegation ended their five-day visit to Hong Kong and Macau on Monday, using the trip to showcase their athletic prowess and encourage residents to chase their dreams.
In Hong Kong, thousands of supporters waited outside each venue the delegation visited from Thursday to Saturday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Olympians.
“The interaction between mainland athletes and Hong Kong residents suggests an increasing overlap of local and national Chinese identities, representing a harmonious coexistence of these dual identities [among Hongkongers],” veteran political commentator Sonny Lo Shiu-hing said.

One highlight of the three-day visit was a speech by table tennis player Sun Yingsha, who said at a sharing session that the national flag on her uniform bore more importance than her name printed at the back.
“If one’s name signifies a kind of glory, then the national flag represents a responsibility and a mission, something worth sacrificing everything to defend and fight for,” she told young participants at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University on Saturday.
“A person can only truly feel the resilient and profound strength that dreams bring when they combine their personal aspirations with the honour of their homeland.”
Chu Wai-lam, vice-chairman of the New Territories School Heads Association and a principal in North district, said Sun’s speech could be seen as a “soft but powerful” approach to promote patriotism among youngsters.
“Her stories will allow young people to learn what being patriotic means in a more straightforward and acceptable way. One can be called loving his country by trying best to do what he is asked to,” he said.
Despite the sweltering weather, fans waved banners, took photos and cheered for the national heroes. Female diver Quan Hongchan was greeted with dozens of stuffed turtle toys as the 17-year-old had earlier expressed her fondness for the animal.
Table tennis legend Ma Long was asked by organisers not to leave the hotel where the delegation was staying as fans were camped out into the early morning.
All 5,300 tickets for demonstrations and a gala show sold out within 35 minutes of going on sale on August 22, as tens of thousands of residents scrambled to secure spots for the events on Friday and Saturday.
At a press conference when the delegation arrived last Thursday, athletes were also asked about their impressions of Hong Kong, what they wanted to do and whether they had any encouraging words for the city’s youngsters.
The media reception was in sharp contrast to the press conference attended by mainland Olympic medallists in August 2016 after the Rio Games. Three athletes, including swimmer Sun Yang, were asked for their thoughts on mending rifts between Hongkongers and mainlanders.
Following a riot in Mong Kok earlier that year, belief in localism was rising as some residents supported the ideology highlighting “Hong Kong identity” to distinguish the city from ones on the mainland.

But the political landscape underwent a transformation after Beijing imposed its national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 in response to months of anti-government protests the year before. The opposition camp was largely wiped out.
“In the past, some saw Hong Kong identity as being so unique that it had to be separated from national Chinese identity,” Lo said. “And this gave rise to lots of social confrontations and even political disputes.
“But now I think you can see a kind of more harmonious coexistence of the two identities. It doesn’t mean that the local identity is buried. It means that the local Hong Kong identity can coexist and co-prosper with a national Chinese identity.”
Lobo Louie Hung-tak, associate head of the Education University of Hong Kong’s health and physical education department, said the connection between the mainland and Hong Kong had been strengthened as residents shared pride in the country’s success at the Paris Games.
“So people across the border appreciate each other for their respective efforts to yield fruit,” he said. “This is quite positive and inspiring.”
He also suggested the strong charisma of the mainland athletes would help to inspire more Hong Kong youth to engage in sports.
“In sports, it doesn’t matter where you come from, what religion you believe in and what political perspective you hold. What matters is the positive energy it brings to people,” Louie said.


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Hong Kong society

How Hong Kong’s warm welcome for mainland Olympians shows a healing of local, national rifts

The mainland Chinese Olympic delegation visits Victoria Harbour on August 30. Photo: Sam Tsang

Fans cheer and wave at the mainland Olympians upon arrival at InterContinental Grand Stanford Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Elson Li

Mainland Olympians greet fans at the Gala Show at Queen Elizabeth Stadium on August 30. Photo: Eugene Lee

Mainland Chinese divers, swimmers make a splash with Hong Kong crowd amid city visit

Divers Wang Zongyuan (left) and Long Daoyi showcase their skills at a public event in Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Quan Hongchan (second from left) proved to be a favourite among the crowd at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. Photo: Sam Tsang

Chinese Olympians show fun side while offering Hongkongers words of advice on never giving up

A short voyage on a Star Ferry vessel was among Friday’s  activities for the mainland Olympians. Photo: Sam Tsang

Gymnasts Zou Jingyuan (left) and Liu Yang belt out a tune at the gala show. Photo: Eugene Lee

The Olympians test their strength by pulling a truck at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy. Photo: Dickson Lee

Chief Executive John Lee delivers opening remarks at the gala. Photo: Eugene Lee

Team members greet the audience. Photo: Eugene Lee

Delegation members visit The Peak. Photo: Dickson Lee

Diver Quan Hongchan (centre) crosses the harbour with teammates. Photo: Edmond So

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Hong Kong

Politics

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Interaction between athletes and residents represents harmonious coexistence of dual identities among Hongkongers, observer says


Interaction between athletes and residents represents harmonious coexistence of dual identities among Hongkongers, observer says.


Hong Kong culture

Chinese culture