Are we on the same page?

Abstract

Purpose – Hong Kong is a case that demonstrates the distinctively multi-dimensional nature of citizenship within and in relation to a given nation. The purposes of this paper are to: first, discuss Hong Kongers’ unique identity and the influence of political, historical and economic factors on them in order to show the value of challenging the “national citizenship” approach as a dominant discourse in the intended curriculum of Hong Kong citizenship education; second, analyze the efforts of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to foster a stronger sense of Chinese national identity in Hong Kong students; and third, evaluate the appropriateness of this nationalistic approach by examining its compatibility with and coherence to in relation to the implemented and attained curriculum. Design/methodology/approach – This study analyzes existing scholarly discussions on the PRC’s emphasis on Chinese national identity in citizenship education and negative perceptions held by teachers and students regarding the approach and presentation of their actual teaching and learning practices for citizenship education with empirical data. Findings – This paper illuminates the mismatch found between the intended curriculum and the implemented and attained curriculum in terms of the viewpoints of good citizens. Originality/value – The notion of “cultural citizenship” is suggested as an alternative approach to developing the curriculum of Hong Kong citizenship education. This paper will be of interest to those curriculum scholars, educational authorities and teachers who are interested in developing and implementing the curriculum of citizenship education.

Citizenship and Education in Hong Kong: A Review of Contemporary Academic Literature

“…The reforms of the 1980s and 1990s created an environment where local political action could be taken to champion greater rights for citizens which, it is argued, also further developed the distinct local identity (Xia, 2016). Civil rights were legally enshrined in the Bill of Rights Ordinance in 1991 (Min, 2016; Tang and Yuen, 2016). The Comprehensive Social Security Scheme was enacted in 1993 to provide some degree of social welfare, which had previously been absent (Tang and Yuen, 2016).…”

“…Political rights were expanded during the 1990s, prior to the handover, which culminated in the political reforms intended to expand suffrage among the Hong Kong population in 1995 (Tang and Yuen, 2016). However, there was a high degree of antipathy among the Hong Kong population to what they saw as a closed-door discussion between the two global powers, China and the UK, regarding their fate, but which actively sought to exclude them (Min, 2016).…”

“…Official rhetoric on citizenship in the territory, post-handover, has focused largely on the “Chinese identity” of the population and the moral imperative to strengthen ties with the Mainland (Alviar-Martin and Baildon, 2016; Lam, 2005; Min, 2016). However, Hong Kong's unique position has created tensions between the desire of policymakers to maintain local identity and culture, while instilling a sense of nationalism and belonging to the entire Chinese nation (Alviar-Martin and Baildon, 2016).…”

“…Further, Hong Kong's status as a global city invariably has created tensions between national belonging and a globalised outlook (Alviar-Martin and Baildon, 2016). The increasing levels of interconnectivity, mobility, interaction, and migration also create a stronger sense of a “globalised” identity among many people, including Hongkongers, leading to a greater sense of global responsibility and universal values (Chee, 2020; Min, 2016; Tse, 2007). Increasingly, this has created an awareness of multiple identities, multiple loyalties, and multi-localities (Chee, 2020).…”

“…Much of the published work has identified a weak level of political identification with the Mainland (Chong, 2015; Fairbrother, 2005; Ho, 2003; Leung and Print, 2002; Lo, 2012; Min, 2016), and longitudinal survey data has shown that respondents often reported a stronger sense of “local” than “national” identity (Tang and Yuen, 2016). Xia (2016) notes that the emphasis on “permanent residency” (PR) as a legal expression of citizenship has impacted the sense of national belonging, whereby Hongkongers are not necessarily citizens of the PRC; indeed PR is the only prerequisite for most forms of civil rights, such as voting, in the SAR.…”