The Cultural Adaptation Research on "Hong Kong Drifters" and "Northward Drifters" in the GBA Yields Significant Findings

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a crucial component of China's national development strategy, aiming for comprehensive integration in areas such as the economy, workforce, and ideologies. Throughout this process, the frequent interactions between mainland Chinese and Hong Kong residents have given rise to two distinct groups within the Greater Bay Area: the Hong Kong drifters and the Northward drifters. The term "Hong Kong drifters" refers to mainland Chinese individuals who choose to work and reside in Hong Kong, while "Northward drifters" are Hong Kong residents who study, work, or spend their twilight years in mainland China. The term "drift" encapsulates the feelings of anxiety and unease experienced by both mainland Chinese in Hong Kong and Hong Kong residents in mainland China.

Led by Professor Song Zhaoxun from the School of Communication at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, a research team embarked on a special study funded by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Their objective was to delve into the cultural adaptation pressures, coping strategies, and social support systems of both Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters in the Greater Bay Area.

This project brought together scholars from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, including members from Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, University of Macau, Jinan University, and Shenzhen University. Despite the challenges posed by communication barriers during the epidemic, the team persevered and utilized new technologies such as the internet to conduct comprehensive interviews and surveys across various cities in the Greater Bay Area. Over the course of two and a half years, they gained a profound understanding of the realities faced by Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters, ultimately offering valuable suggestions to improve their lives.

The research team discovered that despite sharing the same nationality, Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters encounter a cultural and linguistic environment that is both familiar and unfamiliar. Notably, there are notable differences in the perceived adaptation pressures between these two groups.

Hong Kong drifters experience higher levels of pressure within Hong Kong compared to Northward drifters. This can be attributed to changes in social circles, perceived discrimination, and language barriers, which serve as significant sources of pressure. Conversely, Northward drifters generally experience lower overall pressure. Their social circles in the Greater Bay Area have expanded, they do not feel discriminated against, and language barriers are minimal. For most Northward drifters, work and education are the primary sources of pressure.

To facilitate the integration of Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters in the Greater Bay Area, the research team suggests that policymakers and community leaders should acknowledge the distinct sources of pressure faced by each group. Tailored support plans should be implemented to address their unique needs. For Hong Kong drifters, this may involve providing Cantonese language courses and immersive programs to enhance their conversational skills swiftly. Additionally, organizing cross-cultural social activities and implementing peer guidance programs can assist them in establishing meaningful connections with local individuals. As for Northward drifters, policymakers and community leaders should prioritize addressing their work and academic pressures, offering targeted assistance to help them navigate challenges and reduce their adaptation pressure.

The research findings also shed light on the different coping strategies employed by Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters during the process of cultural adaptation. Hong Kong drifters tend to prioritize separation strategies. While acknowledging and respecting the unique culture of Hong Kong, they make efforts to preserve their mainland Chinese culture and identity. They often form communities with other Hong Kong drifters who share similar backgrounds and experiences. By maintaining their own cultural characteristics, Hong Kong drifters may find a sense of psychological comfort as they gradually adapt to the Hong Kong lifestyle. However, an excessive focus on separation strategies can pose obstacles to their social integration, limiting their interaction and cultural exchange with the local Hong Kong community.

In contrast, Northward drifters tend to adopt assimilation strategies within the Greater Bay Area. They actively strive to adapt and integrate into the lifestyle, social norms, and cultural traditions of the mainland. They proactively establish connections with local residents, engage in community activities, and expand their social networks. Given their higher proficiency in Mandarin, language barriers are almost non-existent for Northward drifters, enabling them to integrate more swiftly into the local society.

Previously, there was a prevailing notion that Hong Kong drifters cease to be considered as such once they obtain permanent resident status and officially become Hong Kong citizens. However, the research findings challenge this perspective. The majority of Hong Kong drifter respondents believe that "drift" is not merely an identity, but rather a state of life and a psychological feeling. Interestingly, many Hong Kong drifters experience increased pressure after obtaining permanent resident status and ultimately choose to return to the mainland. Therefore, the definition of Hong Kong drifters should not exclude those who have acquired permanent resident status.

The research team asserts that expanding the definition of Hong Kong drifters holds positive significance. This expansion prompts relevant departments to pay attention to individuals who have obtained permanent resident status but still experience a sense of "drifting." It is crucial for policymakers to consider this group when formulating social support policies. While the government actively seeks to attract talent from external sources, it is equally important to retain talented individuals internally.

During interviews with Northward drifters, it was discovered that a significant number of Hong Kong residents who choose to work and study in the Greater Bay Area have previously visited the mainland for tourism or to visit relatives. As a result, they possess a certain level of understanding and positive sentiments towards the political, economic, and cultural aspects of mainland China. They believe that the reluctance of many Hong Kong people to live in the north stems not only from factors such as lower salary treatment but also from a lack of perceptual awareness of mainland China. This highlights the crucial role of cross-cultural experiences.

In light of these findings, it is imperative for policymakers and social organizations to arrange visits and exchange programs for Hong Kong youth in the Greater Bay Area. Increasing their perceptual understanding of the mainland is of utmost importance. By providing opportunities for Hong Kong residents to engage in meaningful interactions and experiences in the mainland, their perceptions and attitudes can be positively shaped, fostering greater integration and cooperation within the Greater Bay Area.

According to the principal investigator, Professor Song Zhaoxun, this research serves to enrich the field of cross-cultural communication and adaptation theory. Moreover, it provides valuable data to government decision-makers regarding the adaptive pressures and coping strategies experienced by Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters. The study underscores the significance of offering tailored support to address the distinct adaptation needs of each group within the Greater Bay Area. This research holds both theoretical and practical significance, as it contributes to a deeper understanding of these dynamics and informs the development of effective policies and support systems.

In terms of theoretical level, the research team combines relevant theories of social psychology and cross-cultural communication, and specifically made a cultural pressure-coping strategy-social support-social psychological adaptation scale for Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters in the Greater Bay Area. They also exploratively used co-cultural theory to study these two groups, because co-cultural communication research discusses the interactive relationship between non-mainstream cultural groups and mainstream cultural groups, and Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters are not only cross-cultural groups, but also co-cultural groups. Therefore, integrating these two theories to study Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters has a positive significance for the development of communication theory.

In terms of practical value, the research provides government decision-makers and social support organizations with data on the adaptive pressure and coping strategies faced by Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters in the Greater Bay Area, which helps various departments to customize intervention measures and resources for different groups, reduce their cultural pressure, and promote the integration and development of the Greater Bay Area.

The research team has made significant progress and achieved gratifying results thus far. They have successfully published four academic papers in both domestic and international journals, showcasing the relevance and importance of their findings. Additionally, the team has actively participated in three international academic conferences, where they had the opportunity to share their research and engage in scholarly discussions with experts in the field.

Currently, the team is diligently working on writing a monograph that focuses on the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters in the Greater Bay Area. This monograph will serve as a comprehensive resource, consolidating their research findings and providing a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The team's dedication to disseminating their research through academic publications and conferences, as well as their commitment to producing a monograph, demonstrates their commitment to advancing knowledge in this field.

Reflections from team members

Principal Investigator Prof. Song Zhaoxun:

Thank you to the University Grants Committee (UGC) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government for the funding, and also thank you to the research team for trying every means to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and complete the research project on time and with high quality.

Co-Investigator Professor Wu Jing:

I feel incredibly honored to be a part of this esteemed research team. As a senior Hong Kong drifter, I am genuinely delighted that our research has shed light on the true faces and current circumstances of Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters, bringing their demands and expectations into the spotlight. I have come to comprehend the profound meaning behind sociologist Wright Mills' statement that "personal experience and academic work complement each other." This experience has reinforced my belief in the invaluable synergy between personal narratives and scholarly endeavors.

Co-Investigator Professor Li Xiaoqin:

We are truly privileged to be part of this significant research project focused on Hong Kong drifters. Our responsibility involves conducting research and interviews within the Hong Kong drifter community in Macau, allowing us to gain profound insights into the lives, work, and history of Hong Kong residents. By examining the challenges of cultural integration from a unique perspective, we aim to contribute valuable knowledge to the field. This opportunity to delve into the experiences of immigrants offers a fresh and valuable perspective on the cultural dynamics at play.

Co-Investigator Professor Ma Liming：

Drifting’ has emerged as a way of life in our modern commercial society, embodying a sense of suspension and transition for both Hong Kong drifters and Northward drifters. However, amidst this state of flux, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of a spiritual home. The communities they belong to also play a significant role in nourishing their spirits. Being a part of this project holds immeasurable value for me. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to open this window of understanding, enabling me to witness the unwavering determination of the generations in our society who continuously strive for a better tomorrow.

Research Assistant: Ms. Qu Zhujie

As a RA, it is truly an honor to be involved in this research project. Being a Hong Kong drifter myself, this opportunity allows me to examine the experiences of my own community from a researcher's perspective for the first time. Through conducting in-depth interviews, organizing data, and immersing myself in relevant literature, I have gained a profound understanding of the challenges and hardships faced by generations of Hong Kong drifters amidst the ever-changing landscape of the city.

Student Assistant: Jiang Yuxuan

As a second-year student majoring in Journalism and Communication at Hang Seng University, I am thrilled to be a part of this government research project. Being a young Hong Kong drifter myself, I have had the opportunity to organize interview materials for both the Hong Kong drifter and Northward drifter groups. This experience has not only allowed me to learn valuable research methods from esteemed professors but has also provided me with a firsthand glimpse into the dreams and current realities of these individuals amidst the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I am grateful for the knowledge and insights I have gained through this project, which will undoubtedly shape my academic and personal growth.