Although you may hear, “Hong Kong is not China,” officially it is. The confusion has arisen due to both cultural and political factors. For 156 years, Hong Kong was under British colonial rule. In 1997, the UK handed Hong Kong over to China, making it a special administrative region, or SAR. As part of the agreement of the handover, the Chinese government allowed a “one country, two systems” policy. Under this policy, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and it operates much like its own country, with its own currency, immigration rights, legal and political systems.
Along with many political differences, the official languages in Hong Kong are Cantonese and English, not Mandarin. Moreover, many Hong Kongers feel culturally distinct from their mainland counterparts. These are just some of the reasons many Hong Kong people see themselves separate from China.
Living
Hong Kong is more than just Hong Kong Island. There are actually 18 administrative districts, but most people live and work in Kowloon and/or the New Territories and outlying islands. The high demand for housing and employment in Hong Kong has increased the cost of living, and as a result, the cost of housing in Hong Kong is one of the highest in the world. Some apartments, especially ones in newer buildings, can be extremely small.
Culture
Being a British colony for 150 years partnered with political separation from mainland China has resulted in Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity. Elements of traditional Chinese culture combining British western influences have shaped Hong Kong culture in almost every facet of life, from food to education to politics. For the most part, Hong Kongers are very proud of their culture and prefer to distinguish themselves from mainland China.
Beyond its modern façade, Hong Kong is still very traditional. Confucianism, which values filial piety, humaneness, and ritual, still influences organizational culture and leadership styles. Many people adhere to numerology and Feng Shui principles in their daily life and at work. Feng Shui still influences decision making today. Hong Kong is a very clean country, and its citizens value cleanliness. Some examples of this include wearing a mask when you’re sick, and seeing television ads and public service signs encouraging citizens to keep their homes and neighborhoods clean and free of trash.
Work
People in Hong Kong work some of the longest hours in the world. On average Hong Kongers work over 50 hours a week. This drive to work hard long hours is strongly connected to Hong Kongers’ need for achievement and how much people value money and efficiency.
Building relationships with your co-workers and staff will help the team function at a higher level. Asian staff expect clear, concise instructions for all projects. Allow all staff to save face - do not discuss problems with an individual in front of the whole group.
Look for non-verbal clues when in conversation - the Asian communication style is contextual. Asian communication is reserved and silence should be a sign that the listener is taking time to consider what has been said. It does not mean they don't understand or that they disagree. Be aware that yes does not always indicate an agreement has been reached.
As a country with a foundation that began with China and became more influenced by Britain, to gaining its own independence, Hong Kong continues to develop an identity of its own over time.
Want to learn more about other cultures? Check out our Intercultural Services!