Written and Edited by: Friends of the Taiwan Gazette
In November 2022, the Ontario Hong Kong Youth Action (OHKYA) and Students For Hong Kong co-hosted a screening of the documentary Inside the Red Brick Wall in Toronto. This screening was followed by a community dialogue among the audience. The session included a discussion focusing on the identity of the Hong Kong diaspora. Participants were presented with labels such as "Hong Konger," "Canadian Hong Konger," "Hong Kong Canadian," "Chinese Canadian," "Asian Canadian," "Canadian," and "Others," and were asked to choose the one that best or worst represented them.
Given the nature of the post-screening discussion, it is unsurprising that most participants strongly identified with being a Hong Konger. As part of the diaspora, many also identified as "Canadian," although their descriptions indicate distinctive pathways to identifying as Hong Kongers and Canadians. In addition to these two primary identities, the participants also described various occasions of strategically adopting different identities, suggesting that identity can be contingent on immediate environments and may shift strategically.
Different Processes of Becoming Hong Konger and Becoming Canadian
Regardless of the participants' varied backgrounds, strong identification with being a Hong Konger was common. This identification is not innate but developed over time. Jason mentioned that "the term 'Hong Konger' has only become popular in recent years." Events like the 2014 and 2019 Hong Kong protests catalyzed a stronger Hong Konger identity among them. Anthony, for instance, began emphasizing his Hong Konger identity after the 2019 protests, shifting from his previous identification as a Canadian from Hong Kong. Anson added that this emerging identity was not just due to shared protest experiences but also a reflection of personal values: "I think it's because of my personal values and what I've experienced that shapes how I construct myself as a Hongkonger."
In contrast, participants often linked their "Canadian" identity to immigration history and citizenship status. Stanley, who relocated to Canada after 2019, explained, "I choose to identify as a Hong Konger because I have not yet naturalized, so I wouldn't say I'm Canadian... Perhaps, if I become naturalized, I would call myself a Hong Kong Canadian, because, for now, I am simply someone who hasn't naturalized yet."
Drawing from a similar logic, Ryan, a Canadian citizen, identified as a Canadian Hong Konger. He believed he is inherently a Hong Konger, and "Canadian" merely indicates his passport nationality, not his identity. "The word in front of 'Hongkonger' (i.e., 'Canada') only means I have the passport; it doesn't mean I have such an identity." This discussion suggests that while the participants' identification as Hong Konger is based on shared emotions and experiences, their Canadian identity is more a pragmatic and objective reflection of their formal citizenship status.
Strategic and Contingent Identification as Asian
Most participants do not resonate with "Chinese" as their primary identity due to its political and cultural connotations. While they recognized that the word "Chinese" may refer to ethnic groups such as the Han people, they also noted that the word is often associated with the country China. As Henry said, "If I said I'm Chinese Canadian, it's associating my identity with China, as well as its one-party dictatorship, so it's like I somewhat endorse that regime. This is what I resist, and so I would prefer to refer to myself as Asian Canadian rather than Chinese Canadian."
For others, the rejection of the Chinese identity is a more straightforward result of their embrace of the Hong Konger identity. Ryan noted how his alignment with the localist movement in Hong Kong constituted his distinction between Hong Kong and China, "Of course, there are different narratives about whether or how these two places are different. But as I have a deep-rooted concept that they are distinct from each other, I'd prefer to keep a distance from [the Chinese] identity."
As the participants are reluctant to identify as "Chinese," many turned to embrace the "Asian" identity in their everyday lives. Similar to Henry and Ryan, Hailey refused to be associated with the country China. "Sometimes I identify myself as a Hong Konger or Asian Canadian because I... don’t have Canadian citizenship." Hailey said. "I am an international student holding a Hong Kong passport. Sometimes people don't understand what kind of place Hong Kong is, and I'm tired of explaining it, so I just identify myself as Asian. If sometimes people want to understand more, I tell them I am a Hong Konger and tell them about Hong Kong. So, the use depends on the situation."
In other words, how the participants identified themselves in everyday life was not only an expression of their belonging or citizenship status but also a strategic choice that best served their purpose in a specific situation. For instance, Kevin purposefully emphasized his Hong Konger identity in his interactions with his colleagues in Canada as he wanted to leave them an impression that there is a difference between China and Hong Kong. He deliberately used Cantonese to reinforce his Hong Konger identity, reflecting a conscious effort to challenge the conventional understanding of Chinese ethnicity in Canada.
Possibility of Solidarity
While most participants emphasized their distance from the Chinese identity, Ricker made an important remark that solidarity between the two groups in Canada is possible. "I have participated in many protests here, like, recently I just went to support the Beijing Sitong Bridge protest. During the march, they played 'Glory to Hong Kong' (the anthem of the 2019 Hong Kong protests). So, it really depends on the situation."
The discussion on identity among the participants reflects the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the Hong Kong diaspora. Political events like the pro-democracy movements have intensified their sense of being a Hong Konger, while their time in Canada has influenced how they navigate and adapt their identities. The varying degrees of association with being Chinese, Asian, or Canadian demonstrate a dynamic and strategic approach to identity, shaped by personal experiences, political awareness, and social contexts. This diversity underscores the complexity of identity among immigrants and the diaspora, continually evolving within the spectrum of their cultural and political experiences.
