Hong Kong: Gateway to China or Asia’s World City
Almost four years ago Maryanne and I had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong and get more of an insider’s view than typical tourists. I had an opportunity to candidate for an international church, and the elders packed our itinerary. For several days we looked at city sites, schools for our daughters, apartment complexes, and we briefly visited Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and New Territories. We went to Michelin star restaurants on the harbor as well as mom and pop dives. Somewhat reflective of the economic diversity of that church’s elders, one member, a HK resident whose family owned several factories throughout China, was likely a billionaire. Another member was a gracious missionary from Australia who lived in the most meager of flats. While we chose not to accept the call to Hong Kong for personal reasons, the city left some lasting impressions.
I’d liken Hong Kong to a Pacific Northwest City like Seattle or Vancouver. It wraps around a harbor, so the sea plays a big part in its identity and history. But it’s not a “concrete jungle” like New York City; it has a backdrop of lush forested hills that can be seen as you look towards the mainland. Like the Pacific Northwest, HK is very trendy, progressive, and attractive to young upwardly mobile professionals. As indicated in our reading “Hong Kong Culture: Word and Image,” [i] cultural activities such as cinema and the performing arts are thriving. It has everything you’d expect in a global city, especially commerce. Whether imports or exports, HK is one of the busiest ports in Asia. And with the movement of the world’s finances through its banking institutions, Hong Kong is also a place of mind-boggling wealth.
As an outsider I’m keenly aware that I don’t understand Chinese culture or politics and can only offer an outsider’s glance. Eighteen years since HK’s return to Chinese sovereignty, it still presents itself as a city with an identity crisis. Is it a “Gateway to China” or is it “Asia’s World City”? [ii] Is it pro-democracy or pro-Beijing? Will its citizens eventually gain the freedom to vote on their chief executive? And how meaningful is that vote if all the candidates are vetted by a pro-Beijing committee? Is it democracy? Personally, both sides impress me: Beijing allows HK freedoms the mainland (as a Special Administrative Region) doesn’t enjoy including greater freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to protest. The courage of the recent protestors in the “umbrella revolution” was inspiring but did not lead to the freedom they sought. Hong Kong is truly a great city that seems to always be striving for clarity.
That brings me back to Hong Kong’s competing city slogans: “a gateway to China” or “Asia’s world City”. Does Beijing want to be more like Hong Kong or does it want Hong Kong to be me more like Beijing? Does Beijing perceive HK as inviting a warmer initial impression of China to the western world? And if so, wouldn’t that be considered a “bait and switch” from a western perspective or perhaps demeaning from a pro-Beijing perspective? I’d personally lean towards “Asia’s World City,” as it honors the great accomplishments of Hong Kong and acknowledges that it stands on its own instead of being compared to other mainland cities.
A final reflection: Hong Kong has a very permissive attitude toward Christianity. Christianity is deeply established there; many school buildings host a church on weekends. The educational system is deeply enmeshed with Christian schools: primary, secondary, and post-secondary. Christian institutions provide several hospitals and social services as well. Frankly, HK’s attitude and posture toward Christian religion seems much more European than Chinese, an unsurprising remnant of its colonial past. HK doesn’t have the same restrictions or oversight on religion, as does the mainland. This too can advance HK as “Asia’s World City”.
On a more personal note, it might sound like I regret not accepting the call to pastor one of Hong Kong’s diverse and vibrant churches. And while I would have loved to live in that city, it’s the mainland with its restrictions, pressures, and limited freedoms that offer an even greater environment for the expediential and apostolic growth of Christ’s kingdom. But that’s probably an assertion that will have wait for my dissertation.
[i] Kam Louie, ed., Hong Kong Culture: Word and Image (Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2010).
[ii] Ibid, 18-20.
About the Author
Dave Young
husband, dad, friend, student of culture and a pastor.8 responses to “Hong Kong: Gateway to China or Asia’s World City”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Dave, thanks for the post. It’s kind of like a recon debrief so we are a bit more prepared for our time there. That’s helpful. I’m still curious about the theme of “identity crisis” for Hong Kong. Before reading Louie’s book, did you have that impression solely based on your personal experiences?
J
Dave,
Thanks for the insider’s scoop and thanks for your story. Of course you realize that you just became our restaurant guide.
I love the way you identified the tension between Gateway and World City. I can’t wait to visit Hong Kong and experience some of that tension first-hand.
Yeah, a gateway always implies minimized importance, it’s just “on the way” to somewhere really important.
J
Dave, Very intriguing . . . “But that’s probably an assertion that will have wait for my dissertation.” I appreciate you sharing your experience of Hong Kong. I do not know if it is the experience of Cape Town that I seem to be benefitting from our what, but I am really enjoying preparing for Hong Kong and feel like I at least have a small clue in how to do it. The class discussions have been helpful and I think the timing of the posting and book have really helped. I can’t wait to get there and enjoy the immersive experience it will be. Continuing to pray for you and your family. Blessings to you.
Dave,
Thank you for your post and insight. I gained a much different perspective on HK from your review vs. this week’s reading. My impression, after reading Louie’s book, is that HK is much like an Asian NYC. I must admit that it disappointed me a bit. Yet, your post described the city in a much more inviting way. I’m intrigued to observe the attitude and posture towards Christianity that you describe.
Dave…A very helpful post. Thanks! I got more excited about our recent upcoming visit and I hope you pick out more Michelin star restaurants then you do mom and pop dives for us. (-:
I really want to ask my Uncle (who lives in mainland) what he thinks about HK being a gateway of world city. That is such a great question and I bet depending on who you ask you get a different answer…But that’s the point, right? HK and Bejing find themselves in a very unique place. Going into this I knew very little about HK but I’m now intrigued and looking forward to experiencing to in person. Thanks!
I look forward to seeing Hong Kong with some of your commentary. You gave us a taste.
I too am curious about their desire for clarity in identity.
Interesting that you mention about the influence of Christianity – on the mainland, it seems the Christian church is flourishing under the persecution while Hong Kong where Christianity is “allowed” doesn’t seem to be growing from what you indicate. Would you say that’s true?
Mary, I can see where you get that impression from my comments. But frankly from what I can observe Christianity in HK is flourishing. The difference is that much of it reflects the western influence in HK. HK has many mega churches that are like mega churches in America. HK may in fact be a wonderful launching pad as well as resource center for Christianity in the mainland. However, the mainland with it’s limitations on religious freedom creates a similar context to the NT where there was exponential growth, partly because of the political and religious pressure on the church.