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1.1 CulturalDiversity Notes

The document discusses the characteristics of cultural diversity in Hong Kong, emphasizing that Chinese culture is the mainstay of its society. It outlines the historical development of Chinese culture in Hong Kong, the influence of mainland immigrants, and the integration of Western culture, leading to a unique and harmonious society. The impact of this cultural blend is seen in education, economic development, and the overall social fabric of Hong Kong.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
56 views21 pages

1.1 CulturalDiversity Notes

The document discusses the characteristics of cultural diversity in Hong Kong, emphasizing that Chinese culture is the mainstay of its society. It outlines the historical development of Chinese culture in Hong Kong, the influence of mainland immigrants, and the integration of Western culture, leading to a unique and harmonious society. The impact of this cultural blend is seen in education, economic development, and the overall social fabric of Hong Kong.

Uploaded by

Shing Yau TSE
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Theme 1 Hong Kong under “One Country, Two Systems”

Study Notes (Teacher’s edition)


Topic 3 Characteristics of cultural diversity of the Hong Kong society
Learning Focus1 Factors shaping the characteristics of cultural diversity with
Chinese culture as the mainstay in the Hong Kong society

A. A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF


CHINESE CULTURE IN HONG KONG

1. Chinese culture
◆ Hong Kong’s social culture is rooted in Chinese culture, and Chinese culture has
always been its mainstay.

Culture
◆ Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, arts, law,
morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society. It can also refer to the way of life of an entire group of people.
◆ The nation creates the culture and the nation is also integrated by the culture.

Chinese culture
◆ Chinese culture has its origins in different regions and can be
traced back to the Neolithic period.
◆ The cultures of different regions have their own distinctive
Origin characteristics. Through long periods of cultural exchange,
pluralistic unity has been formed in Chinese culture.
◆ Examples: The Yangshao culture in the Yellow River Basin,
the Liangzhu culture in the Yangtze River Basin.
◆ Chinese culture has a long history. It is extensive and
profound, manifested in different fields.
◆ China is an ancient civilization in the world. Chinese culture
has never been interrupted and has continued to this day.
Characteristics ◆ Chinese culture is jointly created by the Chinese nation. China
has a vast territory. Due to factors such as geographical
environment, topography and climate, different regions have
developed their own unique local cultures on the basis of the
culture in common.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 1 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
◆ Chinese culture includes the diverse cultures of the various
regions of the country.
Diversity ◆ People of the same and different regions, cultures, races, and
religions within the country have similarities and differences
in their traditional customs and practices.

◆ The archaeological sites in Hong Kong are mainly distributed on Hong Kong
Island, in Tuen Mun, Lamma Island, Sai Kung and Lantau Island.
◆ The cultural features of Hong Kong are similar to those of other areas in South
China. A large number of Chinese-style historical buildings are preserved, all
with the architectural style of South China.

2. Development background of shaping culture with Chinese culture as the


mainstay in Hong Kong society
◆ Formation and development of Hong Kong society:

Four major ethnic groups in Hong Kong


• Most of the ancestors of Hong Kong migrated to the south in different historical
periods. Chinese culture is their common cultural root.
• These migrants brought the beliefs, customs and lifestyles from their places of
origin to Hong Kong, and formed four major ethnic groups, the first residents to
establish a foundation in the region.
• Punti/Cantonese people, Hakka, Tanka/Boat people, Hoklo.

Mainland immigrants in modern Hong Kong


• Since the mid-19th century, the political situation in China has been turbulent
and many people from the Mainland have moved to Hong Kong, among which
farmers and labourers from Guangdong accounted for the majority. Also, many
entrepreneurs migrated to Hong Kong, bringing in capital and technology to
promote the future industrial development of Hong Kong.
• After immigrating to Hong Kong, they still retained the customs and habits of
their places of origin, bringing cultures from different parts of China to Hong
Kong.
• In terms of aspects such as folk customs, habits, values and language, Chinese
culture has a far-reaching influence on Hong Kong society, and the culture in
Hong Kong society is rooted in Chinese traditions.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 2 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Hong Kong as a Chinese-dominated society
• As a free port bounded by China, Hong Kong attracts foreign businessmen and
missionaries to move in, which increases the number of people of other
ethnicities living in Hong Kong.
• The population in Hong Kong is still dominated by Chinese, and Cantonese is
used as the main communication language, creating a social culture of Chinese
and foreign fusion with Chinese culture as the mainstay in Hong Kong.

◆ Hong Kong’s economic industries and traditional production methods include:

Pearl
Fishing Salt Incense
Agriculture fishing
industry industry industry
industry

Discussion What is the significance of Mainland immigrants to Hong Kong’s


cultural inheritance?
Immigrants to Hong Kong brought the religion, folk customs and lifestyles of their place of
origins to Hong Kong, bringing cultures from different parts of China to Hong Kong. This
laid the foundation for Hong Kong society. In this day and age, Mainland immigrants to
Hong Kong have also brought labor, capital and technology to Hong Kong, which helped
to drive Hong Kong's economic development.
3. Inheritance of Chinese culture under British rule
◆ During the British occupation of Hong Kong, even though foreign cultures had a
great influence on Hong Kong, the inheritance of Chinese culture was never
interrupted.
◆ The Chinese traditional values and lifestyles prevailed in Hong Kong and were
reflected in different aspects of society, such as the public office, Chinese
medicine and Chinese studies.

Supplementary information: Chinese education


The Faculty of Arts of the University of Hong Kong was established in 1913, which
was the starting point of Chinese education in higher education. According to Section
13 of the University of Hong Kong Ordinance, the Liberal Arts must attach
importance to teaching Chinese language and literature. Hence, immediately after
the establishment of the Faculty of Arts, the University hired, on an hourly rate, Dr.
Lai Tsi-hsi (賴際熙太史) (the Chief Editor of the National History Museum (國史

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 3 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
館) in the Late Qing Dynasty, and a scholar on the Guimao Jinshi List (癸卯榜進士)
in the 29th year of Guangxu) and Dr. Au Dadian (the editor of the Hanlin Academy
(翰林院) in the late Qing Dynasty, and a scholar on the Guimao Jinshi List (癸卯榜
進士) in the 29th year of Guangxu) as Chinese lecturers, who were respectively
responsible for teaching History and Literature courses in the four-year traditional
Chinese curriculum. Dr. Lai was the teacher of History, who taught the history of the
Three Dynasties to the Ming Dynasty. Dr. Au was the teacher of Literature, who
taught Zhu Xi and other scholars' commentaries on the "Four Books" and "Five
Classics".

4. Hong Kong society with close ties to Mainland China

Late Qing Dynasty to early 20th century


◆ In recent centuries, Hong Kong still maintained close ties with Mainland China
despite under British rule and their interactions were especially frequent in
business, population and culture.
◆ For example, during the 1911 Revolution, Hong Kong played an important
role in overthrowing the autocratic rule of the Qing Dynasty.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression


◆ During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Hong Kong
became one of the centres of the anti-Japanese national salvation movement.
◆ Hong Kong citizens contributed their money and efforts to the victory of the
war in Hong Kong.
◆ Hong Kong people also organized ambulance teams and home-returning
service groups to carry out anti-Japanese activities, disaster relief and military
rescues in Mainland China.

Post-war to present
◆ In 1950, the Korean War broke out. The United Nations imposed embargoes
on China. Hong Kong merchants and ship owners used different channels to
trade with the Mainland, taking opportunities for the development of Hong
Kong’s shipping industry.
◆ Hong Kong has always played the role of the country’s window to the outside
world, serving as a bridge for exchanges and contacts between China and the

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 4 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
West. Mainland China supplies Hong Kong with water, food and raw materials
to support the stable development of Hong Kong society.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 5 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Factors promoting the integration of Chinese culture and different cultures

1. Introduction of Western culture


◆ As the British Hong Kong Government imported Western lifestyles and values,
the British-based governance system, legal system, business culture and media
culture took root in Hong Kong, forming a blend of the Chinese and Western
cultures and promoting Hong Kong’s capitalism and modern development.
◆ Hong Kong has developed from an entrepot in the 19th century to an
international metropolis in the 21st century. Cultures from all over the world
continue to shape Hong Kong’s culture.

2. Leadership of intellectuals
◆ When the political situation in China was turbulent, some intellectuals who were
well-educated in Chinese studies, such as Qian Mu and Jao Tsung-I, went south
to Hong Kong, set up schools, and promoted Chinese studies in Hong Kong.
◆ Chinese leaders, such as Sir Kai Ho and Samuel Robbins Brown, encouraged
local Chinese to learn advanced knowledge from the West and cultivated local
talents for China’s modernization. They played an active role in promoting the
integration of Chinese culture and different cultures in Hong Kong.

3. Equal emphasis on Chinese and Western education

Before the founding of After the founding of Hong Kong


Hong Kong
Education in Hong Kong Western missionaries started Church
was still traditional in schools in Hong Kong. In terms of school
style, aiming to teach the administration, these schools adopted
Eight-Legged Essay for Western academic systems. In terms of the
the imperial teaching content, Western natural sciences
examinations. and social sciences were introduced, which
promoted the integration and development
of Chinese and Western cultures.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 6 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
◆ Local Chinese elites attached great importance to education which put equal
emphasis on that of the Chinese and the West, used both Chinese and English as
the medium of instruction.
◆ Education in Hong Kong has not only retained Chinese language, history and
philosophy education, but has also taught English, natural sciences and social
sciences, obtaining both Chinese and Western knowledge.

Supplementary information: Church School


After the founding of Hong Kong, many religious groups came to Hong Kong,
such as the Morrison Educational Society, the American Baptist Church and
the Anglican Church. They founded schools with the aim of preaching
doctrines and recruiting followers. The Morrison School moved from Macao to
Hong Kong in 1842, which was the first local church school.

4. Promoted by the modern newspaper industry


⚫ Hong Kong is not only a window for the West to understand China, but also a base
for China to learn about the West.
⚫ In the 19th century, Chinese Serial, Chinese and Foreign Gazette, Chinese Mail and
Universal Circulating Herald were the major Chinese newspapers in Hong Kong.
These newspapers introduced Western knowledge and promoted ideological
emancipation, technological progress and social change in Chinese society.
⚫ After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,
newspapers such as Shen Pao, The Star, Li Bao, China Evening News and Ta Kung
Pao moved from Shanghai and other Mainland cities to Hong Kong to continue
publication, making Hong Kong an important centre for ideological and cultural
exchanges between China and the West.

Supplementary information: The first Chinese newspaper in Hong Kong


Chinese and Foreign Gazette (Hong Kong) was the first Chinese newspaper in
Hong Kong. It was founded in 1858 by the Western-educated Chinese Wong Shing
and Wu Tingfang. It was the first Chinese newspaper to be printed in movable type.
Chinese and Foreign Gazette was originally the supplement of Daily Press and was
published together with Daily Press. At that time, Chinese and Foreign Gazette
was in the form of a magazine and was published only every other day. Later, due
to improvement in distribution and advertising, it was changed to a four-page single

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 7 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
sheet newspaper published daily. It was published for a total of 61 years before its
cessation of publication.

B. IMPACT OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL CULTURE


INTEGRATING WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES ON HONG KONG
SOCIETY

1. Forming a unique culture


◆ The culture in Hong Kong society is rooted in the Chinese culture. After years of
development and exchanges with Western culture, cultural diversity with
Chinese culture as the mainstay has been shaped.

Chinese Foreign Hong Kong


culture cultures culture

Commerciality Inclusiveness

Characteristics of
Hong Kong culture

Openness Diversity

2. Building a harmonious society


◆ Hong Kong society is dominated by Chinese, and the Chinese traditional culture
has a profound impact on society.
◆ Hong Kong society is dominated by Chinese, and the Chinese traditional culture
has a profound impact on society. After the founding of the city, Westerners,
South Asians and Southeast Asians worked and lived in Hong Kong,
contributing to the trend of coexistence of Chinese and foreigners. People from
different backgrounds live in Hong Kong, and embrace and respect each other,
so different ethnic groups and religions coexist harmoniously.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 8 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 9 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
3. Education gradually internationalized

Language of instruction
◆ Both Chinese and English are official languages in Hong Kong.
◆ Since 1997, Hong Kong has implemented the “biliterate and trilingual”
language education policy, enhances students’ language ability and
consolidates Hong Kong’s status as a cultural exchange centre.

Chinese English
Cantonese is the mother tongue of English is an important language in the
most Hong Kong people and the business community and the legal
language commonly used in society. profession.
Putonghua gradually become a The Government implemented the “Native
common language used by Hong English Teachers” scheme to provide an
Kong people in their daily lives and authentic environment for students to learn
at work. English.

Higher education
◆ Internationalization is the goal pursued by many institutions in Hong Kong.
◆ Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions actively recruit world-class talents and have
a high proportion of overseas employees. Frequent academic seminars and
lectures help the academic community stay informed, understand the
development trend of international academia.
◆ Various tertiary institutions have overseas exchange programmes and regularly
hold exchange tours to provide students with overseas academic exchange
opportunities to broaden their horizons.
◆ The courses of many higher education institutions in Hong Kong are also
internationally accredited and students can use their qualifications to study
overseas.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 10 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
4. Rapid economic development

Overall economic development


◆ The development of Hong Kong’s free trade economy reflects Hong Kong
people’s emphasis on trustworthiness, spirit of contract, flexibility and
innovation, and inheritance of the Chinese culture’s character of self-
improvement and hard work. This has promoted Hong Kong’s overall
economic development, and made Hong Kong develop from an entrepot to an
international financial, trade and transportation centre.

Cultural
Diversity Economic
devleopment

Cultural and creative industries


◆ The cultural and creative industries are the important economic driver for Hong
Kong. They can enhance the innovation capability of economic development,
and have become the source of future economic growth.
◆ As an international financial centre, Hong Kong enjoys free flow of capital and
a freely convertible currency. It also has cultural diversity and multilingual
talents. This favours the development of the cultural and creative industries.
Therefore, Hong Kong can become the creative capital of Asia.

Supplementary Information: Cultural and creative industries


The 11 component domains of cultural and creative industries includes:
Art, antiques and crafts; Cultural education and library, archive and museum
services; performing arts; film, video and music; television and radio; publishing;
software, computer and interactive media; design; architecture; advertising;
amusement services.

Discussion What impact does the integration of Chinese culture and foreign
cultures have on Hong Kong society?
Free answer. Any reasonable answer is acceptable. For example, the culture in Hong
Kong society is rooted in Chinese culture and has been exposed to exchanges with
Western culture for a long time, which contributes to the formation of the unique
Hong Kong culture. People from different backgrounds live in Hong Kong with
mutual tolerance and respect. Different ethnic groups and religions co-exist
harmoniously, forming a harmonious society.
Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 11 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Topic 3 Characteristics of cultural diversity of the Hong Kong society
Learning Focus 2 Positive significance of the characteristics of cultural diversity to
the Hong Kong society

A. PROMOTING THE INCLUSION OF CULTURES

⚫ Hong Kong’s culture is based on the Chinese culture and influenced by different
cultures.
⚫ The blending of Chinese and foreign cultures, traditional and modern mixtures, has
contributed to Hong Kong’s reputation as a “culinary capital” and “tourist paradise”,
attracting foreign visitors and bringing business opportunities to the city.

• A wide range of arts and cultural activities, including


theatre, dance, music and opera, are regularly
Arts and culture
organized in Hong Kong, making the city a centre
for both Eastern and Western performing arts.

• The influence of foreign cultures on the local culture


Popular culture is usually most significant in popular culture, such as
US films and Japanese anime.

• Hong Kong is a place for food with a wide range of


international dishes. Some are even blended with
food cultures of different countries. Hong Kong
Food culture
offers a wide variety of uisines from all over the
country,and also the Western, Japanese, Korean,
Vietnamese cuisines.

• The centuries-old buildings scattered throughout the


city testify to the richness and diversity of Hong
Kong.
Style of • The blend of Chinese and Western cultures led to
architecture the creation of distinctive buildings, such as the pre-
war verandah-style buildings, which retained
traditional features of shophouses in southern China
and incorporated Western elements of the verandah
style.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 12 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
• Different religions coexist in Hong Kong, such as
Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Catholicism,
Religions
Christianity. Many religious festivals have been
declared Hong Kong public holidays. For

• Festivals reflect the diversity of Hong Kong culture.


• Hong Kong people value traditional Chinese festivals,
Festivals such as the Lunar New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival
and the Hungry Ghost Festival, as well as Western
festivals, for example, Christmas, Easter and
Halloween.

Discussion Give some examples of cultural diversity in Hong Kong.


Free answer. Any reasonable answer is acceptable. For example, arts festivals and
International Film Festival are held every year in Hong Kong. They promote local
creative works while bringing works from all over the world to Hong Kong.

B. FACILITATING CULTURAL INNOVATION AND REFLECTION

1. Inheriting traditional culture


⚫ Culture is an important factor to social cohesion, and cultural inheritance is of great
significance to society.
⚫ Hong Kong society has not only inherited traditional culture, but has also adapted to
the developments of the times and achieves cultural innovation.

2. Achieving cultural innovation

Cultural content

• There are many outstanding and valuable legacies in Chinese culture


• Such as the family sentiment of “caring about everything at home, the country and
the world”, the personal spirit of “the gentleman is self-improvement”, the ethical
virtue of “filial piety is the first of all acts”, and the concept of “harmony between
man and nature”.

Cultural industry

• Many Hong Kong films, TV programmes and literature draw their themes from
Chineseculture.
• Costume designs incorporate foreign cultures to create new fashions.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 13 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
3. Reflecting the significance of cultural diversity to Hong Kong
◆ Cultural diversity fosters cultural exchange and promotes cultural development
and innovation.
◆ Hong Kong’s inclusive culture has fostered the development of its own culture
through clashes and exchanges with foreign cultures.

Cultural diversity
• Chinese culture
• Foreign cultures

Economic development
and social progress Cultural exchange
fosters promotes

Cultural development
and innovation

C. PROMOTING HARMONY AMONG DIFFERENT ETHNIC


GROUPS

1. Population in Hong Kong


◆ Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city with a diverse mix of ethnic groups. Many
ethnic minorities have taken root in Hong Kong.

Ethnicity Language
◼ The population in Hong Kong is ◼ All ethnic minorities have their
dominated by Chinese own languages and scripts, and
Hong Kong population in 2016 have gradually mastered Chinese
and English.
8% ◼ Ethnic minorities can read and
write both Chinese and English,
92%
with a higher proportion of the
younger generation being able to
Chinese Other ethnicities
read and write Chinese.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 14 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Supplementary information: ethnic minorities in Hong Kong
The ethnic minorities in Hong Kong mainly comprise Indonesians (153,299),
Filipinos (184,081), Whites (58,209), Indians (36,462), Pakistanis (18,094),
Nepalese (25,472), Japanese (9,976), Thai (10,215), other Asians (19,589) and
others (68,986). Among them, Filipinos and Indonesians make up the majority,
who mostly come to Hong Kong for work as foreign domestic helpers.

Supplementary information: Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics


of ethnic minorities (excluding foreign domestic helpers) in 2016
◼ The largest ethnic minority group, most of them are rooted
in Hong Kong and many of them are locally born and
raised;
South Asians ◼ The population is relatively young, the families sizes are
generally large and there are more children;
◼ The employed population of various ethnic groups has
increased significantly.
◼ The population is relatively small and mainly comprises
females;
Southeast
◼ The population has grown significantly in recent years,
Asians
and the employed population has also increased at the
same time.
Japanese, ◼ They have relatively high income and fewer years of
Korean and residence in Hong Kong, and most of them come to Hong
Whites Kong for business or work.
◼ The population is the youngest, and most of them are
offspring of Chinese and Southeast Asians, Chinese and
Mixed
whites, and Chinese and Japanese and Koreans. Mixed-
race people rarely live in single-race residences.
*South Asians include Indians, Pakistanis, and Nepalese; Southeast Asians include Filipinos, Thai,
and Indonesian.

2. Supporting the integration of ethnic minorities into society


◆ As a free and pluralistic society, Hong Kong embodies rationalism,
inclusiveness, harmony and diversity. Such core values also serve as the
cornerstone of its long-term prosperity and stability.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 15 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
◆ Some ethnic minorities encounter problems in language, education and
employment, making it difficult for them to integrate into society. Providing
comprehensive support to ethnic minorities so that they can enjoy equal
opportunities and integrate into the community is a concrete manifestation of
Hong Kong’s core values.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 16 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Establishing relevant departments
◼ To promote racial harmony and equality, three relevant departments have been
set up under the Home Affairs Department (HAD).
The Committee on ◼ Proposing on promoting racial harmony, advising the
the Promotion of Government and community organizations and
Racial Harmony encouraging society actively to promote awareness of
(CPRH) the issues entailed
◼ Providing a channel of communication between the
Government and Hong Kong’s minority communities
The Ethnic
and the organizations dedicated to serving them,
Minorities Forum
keeping the Government informed of the concerns and
needs of the ethnic communities
◼ Rendering secretarial support to the CPRH and the
Ethnic Minorities Forum, and providing a range of
The Race Relations
support services, either by implementing its own
Unit
programmes or through sponsoring non-governmental
organizations

Providing language support services


◼ The HKSAR Government has strengthened language support services for
ethnic minorities in various areas to facilitate their equal access to public
services and integration into the community.
◼ Designing an appropriate language curriculum for children of
ethnic minorities.
Language
◼ Entrusting post-secondary institutions to provide professional
education
support services to schools in the learning and teaching of
Chinese for Non-Chinese speaking students.
Public ◼ Enhancing interpretation and translation services.
services ◼ Providing different language versions of government website.
◼ Providing radio programmes in ethnic minority languages.
Community
◼ Sponsoring non-profit organizations to operate ethnic minority
services
support service centres.
◼ Encouraging employers to adopt a more relaxed language
proficiency requirement.
Employment
◼ Employing ethnic minorities to serve non-Chinese speaking
services
job seekers at job centres and recruitment centres.
◼ Helping unemployed ethnic minority job

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 17 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
◼ seekers find suitable full-time or part-time permanent jobs

Implementing the Race Discrimination Ordinance


◼ Provides a legal framework to protect all persons from discrimination,
harassment or vilification on the grounds of their race.
◼ Administered by the Equal Opportunities Commission, providing protection in
the following areas:
Disposal or
Provision of goods,
Employment Education management of
facilities or services
premises

Eligibility to vote for and to Offer of pupillage or


Membership
stand for elections to tenancy by a
of clubs
public bodies barrister

Building an inclusive society


◼ The HKSAR Government encourages people of different races to interact with
each other to enhance their understanding of each other’s culture and to build a
caring and inclusive society.
◼ The HAD launched the District-based Programmes for Racial Harmony.
Activities were organized in various areas such as volunteer training and
community outreach.

Supplementary information: Main difficulties faced by ethnic minorities in


Hong Kong
Language Barrier
➢ Although more and more ethnic minority youngsters can communicate in
Cantonese fluently, most of them are not very proficient in reading and writing
Chinese.
➢ Among the non-Chinese speaking students taking the Hong Kong Diploma of
Secondary Education Examination in 2017, only 10% of the ethnic minority
candidates took the Chinese Language exam and the passing rate was only
27%.
Public misunderstanding
➢ There are few channels for the public to receive information about the culture
and lifestyle of ethnic minorities. As information about ethnic minorities

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 18 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
usually comes from negative news coverage, most Hong Kong people have
negative impressions on ethnic minorities.
➢ During the pandemic, South Asian ethnic minorities faced more discrimination
than usual.

Employment difficulties
➢ In Hong Kong, most jobs require employees to be highly proficient in Chinese
reading and writing. Yet, most ethnic minorities are not good at reading and
writing Chinese. Thus, their competitiveness is lower than that of the locals,
which causes serious unemployment among them.

D. NURTURING CITIZENSHIP ROOTED IN CHINESE CULTURE


WITH A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

1. Enhancing the sense of national identity


◆ Hong Kong retains many traditional Chinese customs, which embody the
traditional Chinese values and are closely related to our lives, helping to unite the
community.
◆ While accepting foreign cultures, we should also be culturally conscious and
have a comprehensive understanding of our own national or ethnic culture, in
order to build up our cultural identity, enhance our understanding of and
affection for society as well as our sense of belonging to the country and national
identity.

2. Promoting the fine traditions of Chinese culture

Encouraging self-cultivation
◼ As citizens rooted in Chinese culture with a global perspective, we should
promote the fine traditions of Chinese culture, and explore the positioning of
Chinese culture in modern society.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 19 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
Core ideology
• emphasizing benevolence, love and people-oriented principles, abiding by
honesty and trust, upholding justice, promoting harmony and seeking
commonwealth
Traditional virtues
• improving oneself, respecting and enjoying work, helping the needy and
doing justice, and upholding filial piety
Other ideological and cultural content
• the approach to the world of seeking common ground and harmony while
reserving differences, the ideology of educating people through literature,
and the philosophy of living in harmony with frugality and self-control

Preserving and promoting cultural heritage


◼ Cultural heritage is passed on from generation to generation, fostering the
development of cultural diversity, enhancing the atmosphere of art, and
building a sense of identity and cohesion among communities and groups.

Discussion Give some examples of cultural heritage preservation.


Free answer. Any reasonable answer is acceptable. For example, in 2021, Tin Hau
Festival in Hong Kong was inscribed on the fifth batch of the National List of Intangible
Cultural Heritage published by the State Council.

3. Nurturing a global perspective

Integrating into the development of the country


◼ Having a global perspective is an important quality of citizenship.
◼ Integrating into the national development and remaining open help Hong Kong
maintain its status as an international city and continue to play its role in the
opening up of the country.
◼ Hong Kong is the only city that can provide a safe and vibrant business
environment for enterprises and is connected to the Mainland market, making
it an important bridgehead for China’s two-way opening-up.
◼ Hong Kong has a blend of Chinese and Western cultures and an extensive
international network, gathering talents worldwide to promote cultural

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 20 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.
exchanges between China and foreign countries and to bring Chinese culture
to the world.

Driving world progress


◼ As Hong Kong residents, Chinese citizens and members of the world, we
should be aware of the relevance of our society, our country and the world to
ourselves, and pay attention to various issues to cultivate a sense of national
identity and a global perspective, and to promote social progress.

Discussion Suggest ways to drive world progress.


Free answer. Any reasonable answer is acceptable. For example, we should care
about world affairs, such as global warming, the Russo-Ukrainian War,
environmental issues, and take actions such as participating in the “Earth Hour”
movement and donating food to food banks.

Study Note_Topic 3_Learning Focus 1_Teacher’s edition 21 © 2022 Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company Ltd.

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