June 28, 2019

The percentage of Hong Kong people identifying as Chinese is at a record low since 1997, according to a regular University of Hong Kong (HKU) survey released on Thursday.

The Public Opinion Programme at the University of Hong Kong (HKUPOP) interviewed 1,015 residents by random telephone survey between June 17 and 20, in the wake of a record two million  person march calling for a complete withdrawal of  controversial extradition bill. It will be the last time HKUPOP releases such data before it splits from the university in July.

According to the results, the number of people who identify as a Hongkonger¯ is at its highest since 1997 whilst those feeling proud of becoming a national citizen of China has dropped from over one-third last year to around one-quarter this year.

All these indicators are at their record lows since the handover,¯ HKUPOP said in a press release. Director of HKUPOP Robert Chung feels sorry and helpless at the result.

In the survey, 53 per cent of the interviewees identified as Hongkongers, while 11 per cent identified as Chinese. 12 per cent identified as Chinese in Hong Kong, and 23 per cent identified themselves as Hongkongers in China.

When asked if they were proud of being a national citizen of China, 71 per cent said no¯ and 27 per cent said yes.¯ 90 per cent in the age group 18-29 answered no.

Senior Data Analyst of HKUPOP Edward Tai said the survey, conducted after two marches against the extradition bill, clearly reflects the impact of this incident to Hong Kong citizens' ethnic identity recognition and feelings towards the handover of sovereignty.