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Introduction
Every culture has different influences, cultural norms, values, beliefs, and expectations
that are acted on by a specific people group. These various expressions affect everyone, there is
no escaping the culture because it is everywhere around us especially the young people in Hong
Kong. In this case study, we dive into the culture of Hong Kong specifically in the political
atmosphere. The political culture in Hong Kong seems to be very anti-democracy and
experiencing lots of universal suffrage according to the two articles. However, a teenager named
Joshua Wong decides to take a bold step in hopes of producing change in view of politics
particularly within the youth community.
Local Youth Culture in Hong Kong
A major cultural influence regarding the youth in Hong Kong is the strict political views
that are firmly set in stone. These standards are to keep the people in line and filter opposing
views that they come into contact with. Anyone who disagrees with these views is considered an
outsider. This creates a culture of limited freedom and a censored worldview of their speech and
beliefs. Another main cultural influence is the surrounding cities as the opinions of the citizens of
Beijing, for example, greatly influence where they look to voice opinions. The last main cultural
influence that is very prominent is their reverence to education. Education in this culture is held
to a high regard and standard. According to the article “Echoing Tiananmen,” a national
education issue that arose is what actually produced a care for politics as that was not the norm
for youth in Hong Kong. “Five years ago, it was inconceivable that Hong Kong students would
care about politics at all," he says. "But there was an awakening when the national education
issue happened. We all started to care about politics.”1 The youth culture in Hong Kong seems to
1 Chan Wilfred, and Yang Yuli, “Echoing Tiananmen, 17 year-old Hong Kong student prepares for
democracy battle,” CNN, September 21, 2014: 2, https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/21/world/asia/hong-kong-joshua-
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be a culture of being monitored constantly, submission, and a huge emphasis on government
control.
Youth Response and Impact
The youth in Hong Kong are inspired and passionate about what is going on in their city
and government. They saw how the government treats the citizens and the Tiananmen event and
do not agree. They are becoming more vocal and adamant about democracy. Joshua Wong, who
is fifteen years old, started to seriously inspire and motivate other students to care about politics
and to be more involved. In the article ‘Echoing Tiananmen” it says, “His group, which now has
around 300 student members, has become one of the city's most vocal voices for democracy.
And the kids are being taken seriously.”2 Wong is being a very successful leader in rallying the
youth to take a stand against what is happening in their government. They want to be heard and
face the government with opposition; they do not believe it is a just or healthy way to live. Wong
is not afraid to take a stand even if that means being hated. According to “Meet the 17-year-old,”
“As much as he is admired in Hong Kong, he is loathed in Beijing.”3 Some of the youth in Hong
Kong have organized sit-ins and mass walkouts in their schools, and their administration is even
supporting them. This just goes to show the influence that the youth can have on those around
them. This influence even has had effect nationwide on China as the youth’s protests have
reached mainland China. This spread that Wong has produced is reaching way beyond just his
fellow classmates.
wong-democracy-protest/index.html
2 Wilfred, “Echoing Tiananmen,” 3.
3 Calum MacLeod, “Meet the 17 year-old Leading Hong Kong’s Protests,” USA TODAY, October 1, 2014:
1, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/10/01/joshua-wong-hong-kong-pro-democracy-protests/
16527733/
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Connecting with the Youth in Hong Kong
It is important to know the culture you are going into when being a global worker
working in Hong Kong. Something that I have learned that I would be aware of is that the youth
in this area are becoming more aware, politically and power wise. Their relationship to authority
could be altered and be seen negatively as they take in what having power can affect. They do
not feel heard and seen by authority in their lives, so it would be important to connect cautiously
making sure you are in no way talking down or attempting to persuade too harshly. Forcing
ideals onto them is what they are used to and what they are fighting against. The youth in Hong
Kong might not take too well considering the power awareness that is becoming more present in
their lives. Another thing a global worker should keep in mind is the importance of this
movement in the youth’s lives in Hong Kong. This movement is how they are feeling heard and
seen; how they are making a difference in this world. Having a listening ear rather than a
loudmouth could be a more effective way to reach them. Attempt to learn about who they are and
why they act or think the way that they do. Create a lower power distance. Making the effort to
listen could be very useful in reaching the youth in Hong Kong.
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Bibliography
Chan Wilfred, and Yang Yuli, “Echoing Tiananmen, 17-year-old Hong Kong student prepares
for democracy battle” CNN, 10:18 a.m., Sunday, September 21, 2014. 1-6.
https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/21/world/asia/hong-kong-joshua-wong-democracy-
protest/index.html
MacLeod Calum, “Meet the 17-year-old Leading Hong Kong’s Protests” USA TODAY, 6:58
p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2014.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/10/01/joshua-wong-hong-kong-pro-
democracy-protests/16527733/
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