Cultural Conflict and Disappointment: Hongkongers’ Sentiments Toward Taiwanese Authorities Amid Cross-Strait Tensions

Wing-Chung Ho () and Ken Ka-wo Fung
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Wing-Chung Ho: Deparment of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Ken Ka-wo Fung: Department of Social Work, Soochow University, Taipei City 111, Taiwan

Societies, 2024, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: The failure of the democratic movement during 2014–2020 prompted tens of thousands of Hongkongers (~40,000) to reluctantly leave their hometown and migrate to Taiwan to seek a freer future. Taiwan’s cultural similarity to Hong Kong, together with Taiwan’s democracy and geographic proximity, are commonly recognized as pull factors of migration. However, the intensifying cross-strait tensions since late 2021 have witnessed Taipei tighten its approval of Hongkongers’ applications for permanent residency mainly in fear of the infiltration of Chinese agents. Based on mixed-methods in-depth interviews (N = 15) and an online survey (N = 147) with Hong Kong migrants, this paper reveals their complex experience in adapting to the Taiwan way of life, becoming frustrated by Taipei’s attitudinal change, and contemplating onward migration. The findings reveal underlying cultural differences between Hong Kong and Taiwanese societies—manifesting as a cultural conflict—amid fears of an encroaching communist China.

Keywords: reluctant migrant; cross-strait relations; cultural conflict; Taiwan; Hong Kong (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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