Cultural Policies and Identity Formation in Taiwan and Hong Kong

Although Taiwan and Hong Kong are both Chinese societies previously subjected to colonial rule, the identity formation of the two peoples differs significantly, with Taiwan’s modern consciousness underpinned by nationalism and Chinese-ness whereas Hong Kong’s identity is characterised by the “in-between-ness” between Eastern/traditional/conservative and Western/modern/liberal outlooks and lifestyles. This book examines how these different identities came about. It considers the impact of Japanese and British colonial rule, explores the cultural policies implemented both in colonial times and after, and discusses fully the nature of present day identity and consciousness in the two places, including an assessment of how far governments’ cultural policies are embraced and embedded.

Although Taiwan and Hong Kong are both Chinese societies previously subjected to colonial rule, the identity formation of the two peoples differs significantly, with Taiwan’s modern consciousness underpinned by nationalism and Chinese-ness whereas Hong Kong’s identity is characterised by the “in-between-ness” between Eastern/traditional/conservative and Western/modern/liberal outlooks and lifestyles. This book examines how these different identities came about. It considers the impact of Japanese and British colonial rule, explores the cultural policies implemented both in colonial times and after, and discusses fully the nature of present day identity and consciousness in the two places, including an assessment of how far governments’ cultural policies are embraced and embedded.