The Linguistics Journal September 2009 Special Edition Language

(c) Closer relationship with China
The Linguistics Journal – September 2009
When respondents were asked to compare their before-and-after relationship with China, all
respondents believed the development of the economic and political situations since 1997 in
China had brought them closer to China. “The joining of WTO has accelerated Chinese economic
development more rapidly while HK is not improving much. Future business development of
every company in HK is to expand their business to China. Everything I am doing now is
associated with the Chinese market. Learning Putonghua is one. Making friends with Mainland
Chinese is another.” “It is not difficult to realize that the number of Westerners in HK is getting
smaller but the number of Mainland Chinese immigrants is getting larger, possibly because of
marriage and business relationships.”
(d) Optimistic being a Chinese and China’s prospect
The respondents were very optimistic about the prospects of China because of the current
economic and political situations in China. “I think the development of the future China is very
promising. I wouldn’t mind working in China if there is a chance. Having met some elites from
the Mainland has also broaden my horizon and made me realize that China is really growing.
Not only its economy, but also its people.” Respondents gradually believed that their worries over
China’s ruling HK was erased. “It’s a good time to be a Chinese than an American.”
(e) More nationalistic
Respondents found that they were more nationalistic after returning to Hong Kong. “Personal
growth has changed the way I look at China and the more I traveled to China, the more I feel
myself is a Chinese and China is my country. There is a linkage between China and I. While I
was traveling in China, I was very proud being a Chinese because of its history and civilization.”
The Linguistics Journal – Special Edition Page 50