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Cantonese

Cantonese
Cantonese is a southern Chinese dialect, which is an integral part of Hong Kong’s identity and culture.
Singers Chloe Wong (left) and Marco Tang are part of the 17-person troupe responsible for “Wicked in Canto”, a series of videos featuring songs from the global musical phenomenon performed in Cantonese. Photo: Edmond So
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Wicked songs in Cantonese? New online series champions Hong Kong talent

Songs like ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling’ have been painstakingly translated for the ‘Wicked in Canto’ series on YouTube and Instagram.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | Simplified Chinese for tests? Rigid education system needs proper reform

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Food and Drinks

Chinese restaurant owner Amy Poon gets steamy at her new London joint

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why new documentary on Beyond’s Wong Ka-kui only tells part of the story

Because of You – Ka Kui, about the life of the Hong Kong frontman, is marred by the same issues that tore Beyond apart after his death.

Wong Ka-kui in a still from Because of You – Ka Kui. The new documentary tells the story – albeit an incomplete one – of the late frontman of Beyond, widely considered Hong Kong’s most influential band ever.
Food and Drinks

What is Shandong cuisine? Chefs’ Hong Kong dinners bring out food’s best

Chef Wang Haoquan’s Shandong cuisine and Tsang Chiu-King’s Cantonese dishes were a match made in heaven at recent dinners in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong culture

Want to learn Cantonese? Take lessons from this 8-year-old from Hong Kong

Aiden Tsang makes learning Cantonese fun with his cute Instagram videos that get likes from Jimmy O. Yang and other Hong Kong celebrities.

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Hong Kong politics

From Stephen Chow films to Beyond hits: PLA sailors share Hong Kong affinity

Crew from Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan recount experience in city as residents enjoy final open day.

(From left) Navy trainees Cheng Jiaming, Zhang Zihan, Luo Jiayi and Li Chunliang. Photo: Leopold Chen
Hong Kong society

Letters | Handle integration of Hong Kong’s ethnic minority children with care

Readers discuss Chinese language acquisition among children from the city’s ethnic minority communities, and the harm social media causes children.

Chinese culture

Being Chinese | Life and finance lessons from my Hong Kong mahjong parties

I was a hit with my mahjong buddies because I didn’t play like a typical Chinese person. The years since have taught me better.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Success of Hong Kong’s top talent scheme must go deeper than numbers

The city must attract talent willing to develop careers and raise families here, instead of those just staying long enough to secure residency benefits.

People attend a recruitment fair in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui organised by the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association, a group set up to help new arrivals settle in the city, on February 28. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong police

Exclusive | On the beat with Hong Kong’s highest-ranking colonial-era expatriate officer

Assistant Commissioner David Jordan reflects on bridging cultures, balancing tradition, protests and progress throughout his 30-year career.

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Interview with Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ops) of Hong Kong Police Force’s Department Operations Wing, David Jordan at Police HQ in Wan Chai. Photo: Karma Lo
Food and Drinks

Chinese-Canadian families and their restaurants get their stories told

Online project tells immigrant stories of restaurant and cafe owners from Montreal to Vancouver, and brought its maker and her dad closer.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

‘Phenomenal’: Hong Kong musical’s extra 10 shows sell out in hours

Buzz from The Impossible Trial’s sold-out Shanghai and Beijing runs sparked a ticket frenzy for 10 additional shows in its Hong Kong return.

Food and Drinks

Chinese dining etiquette dos and don’ts, from who eats first to tea pouring

Chinese table manners and traditions emphasise sharing and politeness and can be complicated. Here are the most important rules.

Although Chinese eating customs have evolved over time and through cultural shifts, some aspects have remained the same, such as the oldest or most senior person starting a meal and where you put your chopsticks. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong economy

Spouses, children of top talent unhappy with life in Hong Kong: university study

Hang Seng University study finds nearly 70 per cent of spouses, 85 per cent of children reported feeling dissatisfied with life in Hong Kong.

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The study’s researchers spoke to the spouses and children of successful admitted under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Photo: Edmond So
My Life

From a corner shop to cabaret star: Rick Lau reflects on his journey

A clairvoyant told him he was destined for the stage, so he changed his whole career trajectory, but even growing up in Hong Kong, he was inspired by Barry Manilow.

Hong Kong society

No Cantonese, no career? Can Hong Kong do more to help ethnic minority groups?

Discrimination, a lack of Cantonese and integration into society are issues not yet resolved, say NGOs and experts.

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Music

Who is Lan Lao? Meet the Chinese rapper more popular than Jay Chou

Mixing Cantonese culture with American rap influences, Lan Lao is a viral sensation inspired by stars like Drake, Young Thug and Wang Yitai.

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Chinese rapper Lan Lao, who also goes by Skai IsYourGod, has toppled long-reigning Mandopop king Jay Chou as the most-streamed Mandarin singer. Photo: Instagram/ skaiisyourgod
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong has what it takes to be an Islamic finance hub

Readers discuss how Hong Kong can capitalise on the potential of Islamic finance assets, the Flywin principle, and English standards.

Education in Hong Kong

Beyond language barriers: ethnic minority students shine in Hong Kong DSE tests

Perseverance in navigating linguistic challenges pays off for Smriti Kedia and Halima Sadia Yaqub in achieving impressive results.

Chinese overseas

Being Chinese | What’s in a Singaporean Chinese name? It’s a long story

In the US, I’ve been assumed to be Taiwanese, mainland Chinese or Korean. It’s like watching people play charades using my business card.

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People stop to take pictures beside a Chinatown mural of martial artist Bruce Lee in San Francisco in 2022. Among the Chinese diaspora in the US, a Singaporean Chinese name can turn into a “Guess where I am from?” quiz. Photo: AP
Chinese culture

Do you know your gu fu from your yi ma? How to greet your Chinese relatives

Chinese family titles can be a minefield. From paternal grandfathers’ older brothers to mothers’ younger sisters, here are some useful ones.

Do you know how to properly address your Chinese relatives? We examine just a few of the ones you hear often in Hong Kong. Illustration: Brian Wang
Hong Kong society

‘Gangster logic’: Beijing slams US extension of Hong Kong’s ‘emergency status’

China’s foreign ministry arm in city also calls US President Donald Trump’s move an act of hegemony that weaponises economic and trade tools.

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Food and Drinks

Language Matters | Where did lychees come from and why are they an auspicious Chinese symbol?

The fruit’s Chinese name gave us the English word ‘lychee’, while wordplay bestowed upon it auspicious connotations.

Profile

Profile | ‘Why is her Cantonese so good?’ Indian Hongkonger on social media fame

Pranali Gupta, known as New Dellily online, bridges Hong Kong and Indian cultures through her engaging vlogs and clips on social media.

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Hong Kong resident Pranali Gupta on her YouTube channel NewDellily. Photo: Youtube / NewDellily
Books and literature

How translators of Hong Kong literature are rewriting the script

More English readers are asking for translated literature – and in Hong Kong and beyond, the art of translation is taking off.

A new translation of Hon Lai-chu’s Mending Bodies by Jacqueline Leung was just published this spring. Illustration: Angela Ho
Food and Drinks

The flavours of Hong Kong? 5 up-and-coming chefs weigh in

Inspired variously by street food, Cantopop and locally caught fish, chefs put new and flavourful spins on familiar Hong Kong dishes.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Hedwig and the Angry Inch rock musical coming to Hong Kong in Cantonese

The musical, which follows scarred genderqueer singer Hedwig on tour, has dropped the original glam rock and will be in Cantonese.

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