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Hybridity Or Eclecticism, a Matter of Contemporary Configuration Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 1-1-2002 Reading Hong Kong Chinese culture: Hybridity or eclecticism, a matter of contemporary configuration K. C. Staples Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Asian Studies Commons Recommended Citation Staples, K. C. (2002). Reading Hong Kong Chinese culture: Hybridity or eclecticism, a matter of contemporary configuration. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/753 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/753 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Courts have the power to impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions for infringement of copyright, infringement of moral rights and other offences under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. READING HONG KONG CHINESE CULTURE: Hybridity Or Eclecticism, A Matter or contemporary Configuration K.C. S1oplcs A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Commt1nications, Health and Science Edith Cowan University 2002 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. ABSTRACT This thesis investigates the Cultural Studies paradigm 'hybridity' through an analysis or Hong Kong culture. In Cultural Studies, 'hybridity' is usually applied to cultures that have been innucnccd by another culture, resulting in a loss of identity, leading to a cultural mixture. As a former Colony comprising predominantly ofa southern Chinese popu,Jtion, Hong Kong has been influenced by British culture. However, the question is whether Hong Kong culture has been 'hybridises', or, the Hong Kong people, in mastering two cultures, have become bicultural, and use their biculturaiism bilaterally, as particular situations require. The study also researches the condition of Hong Kong culture when exported overseas through migration, and remigrntion, especially among Chinese. Other areas researched are Hong Kong culture's relationship to identity and ethnicity through film and language. The primary research data is sou1ced from surveys and interviews with Hong Kong Chinese people in Australia and Hong Kong. Secondary sources include written media, computer-generated media, film, and television. The research uses a multiple design format of field: historical; content analysis; textual analysis; forensic, and anecdotal material. The findings will show that :~ong Kong culture is dominated by Chinese cultures rather than Western culture and as such may not be regarded as a 'hybrid' culture, but as a conglomerate or independently used cultures. My research findings challenge the validity oft he Cultural Studies use ofhybridity in association with colonialism, and opens the way for other cultures designated as 'hybrid' to be re­ examined within a similar research framework to this study. DECLARATION I cenify tlrnt this thesis does not incorporate without acknowledgment any Material submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education: and to the best ofmy knowledge and belief it does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in tile te~t. Signature Date N~vz:!:!. 2_002- ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My decision to research Hong Kong culture is not completely without prior experience or knowledge. ! lived in Hong Kong for twenty yearn from 1968 to 1988, during which time I saw many changes, both in Hong Kong's environment, and among the Hong Kong people in dealing with these changes. One phenomenon that soon came to my notice was how Hong Kong people could seamlessly switch from operating in one culture to successfully operating in another. In multi-racial environments such ns shops and social gathering points like clubs, the interaction between non-Caucasian Hong Kong people with their own culture, and with the foreign Western culture flowed back and forth without discernible major problems. This situation was at the heart of the successful change of I-long Kong from a colonial outpost to an internationally recognised and unique cultural and business centre. The ease ofcuhural exchange was especially noticeable amongst Hong Kong's Chinese inhabitants, who made up the vast majority of the population and used the predominant non-English spoken language of the Colony, Cantonese. After completing a Masters Degree, I had the desire to continue my university studies. I consulted my previous Masters Degree research supervisor Associate Professor llrian Shoesmith, who advised me that! should consider using my experience in Hong Kong to formulate a research project. After consideration of Professor Shoesmith's advice, I put before him the concept of researching Hong Kong culture and its relationship with colonialism. From this idea evolved researching Hong Kong Chinese culture and its relationship to the concept of cultural hybridity in view of Hong Kong's long exposure to innuences exerted by British colonial rule, My research, has for me, been a rewarding experience, bnt this could not have been achieved without the invaluable help of the people who provided various forms of assistance to me, and as such I would like to express my thanks to the following people. Firstly I would like lo thank the people who gave me access to my primary research data by answering my questionnaires. These people deserve special thanks, as the, ~ponse rate for the number of questionnaires distributed was not up to my expectations. Secondly, I would like to thank Professor ArifDirlik, (Duke University), and Professor John Wong, (University of Sydney), for their constructive criticism and advice they gave to me on a paper I presented at "The Third International Postgraduate Symposium on Hong Kong Culture and Society 18- 19 April 2000" Their advice was carried through nnd'became of great assistance in implementing my research findings into my thesis. Also 1 would like to thank the librarians at both the Mount Lawley, and Joondalup Campuses of Edith Cowan University who in their provision of excellent services allowed me to access a wealth of secondary research data that became invaluable to the completion ofmy research and thesis. In thanking my supervisor Associate Professor Brian Shocsmith I must state that his advice, assistance, and encouragement have provided a major driving force in the completion ofmy research and thesis. His availability and promptness in attending my various requests for his assistance and advice have enabled me to complete my research and thesis within the prescribed time framework. l thank my wife Agnes, who as a Hong Kong Chinese person and a Professional Level NAATI Interpreter has been invaluable to me as my interpreter for the Cantonese language, and my interpreter of the various cultural nuances necessary to understand Hong Kong Chinese cult•ire. Finally I again thank Agnes, who has been the main income earner for our family while l have been pursuing my studies and research. Without her financial help through engaging in full-time employment my research would have never been started. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................... .1 DECLARATION .................................................................................................. 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................. 111 TABLE OF CONTENTS ............ ,,,,., .......... ,,,,,,,,,,, .................. ,,,,,,,,, .................... V CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................... 1 HYBRIDITY /\ND HONO KONG CHINESECULTIJRE: Tim RESE/\RCfl QlffiSTION /\ND ........... 1 .......... 5 .............. 13 .............. 15 71ieoreticaf Framework .. ..................................................... 17 !.imitations .............. .. ................. 17 .. ........................................... 18 ....................... 18 ............................................ 19 CHAPTER TW0 ................................................................................................. 22 REVIEW OF LlTiiRA'l'llllE ,.. ........ 22 flllrod11clim1........................................ .. .............. 22 Chi11es111w.1:dio11g Koug Chi11e.1·e11ess and E1i111ic ldemin, ............ 22 Hybridity and l'osl·Co/aniafism ......... .. .................. U Ho•1g Kong HiMory and 7i111iporal Change ..................................................... 28 M}gratia11 and Dimpora............. .. .....................................................
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