Putting Chinese Culture on the World Map: Hong Kong as a Cultural Bridge
Hong Kong, with its unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, is making a concerted effort to place Chinese culture on the global stage. The city, a vibrant hub of cultural exchange, is leveraging its rich heritage with the backing of mainland China to tell the story of both itself and the broader Chinese nation. Luo Weiteng reports from Hong Kong on how this special administrative region is harnessing its cultural wealth to promote a deeper understanding of Chinese civilization worldwide.
For centuries, Hong Kong has played an important role in the tapestry of Chinese history, far beyond its modern identity as a global financial center. The city’s cultural roots are deeply intertwined with the mainland, positioning it as a crucial player in shaping global narratives about China’s heritage, history, and development.
Ng Chi-wo, head of Hong Kong’s Chinese Culture Promotion Office, emphasizes the city’s mission of fostering “cultural confidence, historical consciousness, and national identity.” According to Ng, this sense of continuity and belonging is key to meaningful storytelling. The promotion office, established in April 2023, is part of a broader initiative outlined in Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address. The goal is to consolidate resources and enhance public recognition of Chinese culture through systematic efforts.
The office’s early projects have focused on exploring the origins of Chinese civilization, including an exhibition on the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties—some of China’s earliest and most influential periods. The Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project, launched by the Chinese government in the 1990s, sought to trace the roots of Chinese civilization and answer fundamental questions about the nation’s essence. Through decades of archaeological research, scholars have highlighted the continuity and unity of Chinese culture, themes that Hong Kong is keen to promote on the global stage.
Ng notes that Hong Kong’s cultural history stretches far beyond its colonial past. While the city is often viewed as a product of modern Chinese history, its heritage goes back millennia, with archaeological finds that connect it to ancient Chinese dynasties. A notable example is a jade blade discovered on Lamma Island in 1990, which shares carving styles with relics from the Shang Dynasty and the Erlitou ruins in Henan province—one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. This find underscores the historical and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the mainland, extending all the way to Southeast Asia.
Hong Kong’s unique position as a cultural bridge is further enhanced by its cosmopolitan nature. Ng highlights that the city’s ability to “use the right language” makes it an ideal platform for promoting Chinese culture to international audiences. The bilingual presentation of traditional Chinese arts, such as xiqu (Chinese opera), is a practice more common in Hong Kong than on the mainland, making the city an effective conduit for cultural exchange.
The backing of the mainland has been crucial in realizing Hong Kong’s cultural ambitions. The city has long attracted global exhibitions showcasing remarkable artifacts, but the ability to organize high-profile events depends on collaboration with mainland museums and cultural institutions. For instance, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and various museums in Henan province have been instrumental in supporting the General History of China Exhibition Series, which aims to chronologically showcase China’s rich history.
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The inaugural exhibition, featuring over 150 relics from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, marks the beginning of a series that will culminate in 2029, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The next installment, focused on the Qin and Han dynasties, is scheduled for 2024. These exhibitions form part of the broader Chinese Culture Festival, an expansion of Hong Kong’s longstanding Chinese Opera Festival.
In addition to exhibitions, the office works closely with local educational institutions to foster a deeper understanding of Chinese culture among the younger generation. In June, Ng led a study tour for secondary-school Chinese history teachers to Henan province, allowing them to experience firsthand the historical sites and cultural heritage of the region, including the Yin Ruins, home to China’s earliest known writing.
Hong Kong’s cultural inheritance is not limited to tales of elites but is deeply embedded in the everyday lives of its people. From Wong Tai Sin Temple to feng shui practices and the Jiao Festival of Cheung Chau, Hong Kong’s traditions reflect the richness of Chinese culture. Ng believes that by making these cultural expressions more accessible and innovative, Hong Kong can play a key role in sharing the magnificence of Chinese civilization with the world.
As Hong Kong continues its journey to promote Chinese culture, it stands as a vital link between the mainland and the global community, telling the story of an ancient civilization in a modern, interconnected world.
