No amount of challenges will defeat the prosperity of Hong Kong and the ability of the special administrative region to transform the moments of gloom into a "golden era" – even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resilience is a word that keeps popping up during conversations about Hong Kong which, in recent times, has seen many twists and turns as well as major defining moments. With the pandemic gradually under control, the question is: What surprises is the region hiding for the post-coronavirus era? 

In this episode of "The Chat Room," young people from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong speak about what they think of the city and share their vision about what the future holds for it.

Impressions of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a place of contradictions, where classical ideology mixes with modern culture, ancient alleys coexist with skyscrapers and traditional Chinese heritage fuses with futuristic neon signs.

For CGTN reporter Tang Bo, Hong Kong is a heaven for lovers of the outdoors thanks to its more than 60 hiking routes and the spectacular Victoria Harbor that never lets visitors down.

His views echo the perspective of Dominic Lam, an undergraduate student from Hong Kong based in Beijing, who believes that Victoria Harbor is one of the prettiest spots in the world.

Hong Kong is also one of the best destinations for shoppers, said Zhu Dan, a CGTN reporter based in Hong Kong, and Cherry Chan, a content creator from Hong Kong. Both shared that they enjoy splurging in Hong Kong because of the ubiquity of fancy items.

Noel Shih, chairman of Young Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, also highlighted the city's place on the culinary map, sharing the vibrant restaurant scene there where street food stalls and Michelin-starred eateries merge Eastern and Western flavors to attract tourists with the promise of finger-licking experiences.

One of the unique aspects of Hong Kong is the marriage of traditional Chinese ideology and Western culture, according to Tang Bo. Li Jingjing, a multimedia reporter with CGTN Digital, also said that despite the reputation of Hong Kong as a cosmopolitan city and a hub for foreigners, traditional cultural treasures are very visible everywhere.

Dilemmas and challenges

For young people, life in Hong Kong can be stressful due to high prices and cutthroat competition, according to Chen Zijin, who works at an insurance company in Hong Kong. Zhu Dan also agrees, saying that living expenses are higher in Hong Kong than elsewhere and young people might feel the pressure when their salary is not enough to buy a well-furnished apartment.

Another challenge facing many Hong Kong youths, according to Zhu, is the limited or outdated knowledge about the Chinese mainland they gain at school, which leads to bigotry or misunderstanding towards people on the mainland. The CGTN reporter said that young people should be given more opportunities to see the real Chinese mainland to shatter stereotypes and adopt new objective understanding.

Li Jingjing added that the misunderstanding is mutual, noting that young people on the mainland also have numerous misconceptions about Hong Kong. She said that favorable policies in the Greater Bay Area are offering young people on both sides the opportunity to start their businesses or invest in their development with fewer risks, offering them new channels to get to know each other better.

To conquer the difficulties, communication is key, Cherry Chan noted, saying that she takes her status as an influencer on social media to help introduce Hong Kong from different perspectives and build understanding among young people.

Noel Shih said that one of his favorites moments happened during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing when everyone came together to let the world know of the true real China and how the country has developed. For him, people have to "come here and experience it" if they wanted to jump over obstacles standing in the face of mutual understanding.

Lion Rock Spirit

The words solidarity and resilience always come to mind when Hong Kong residents mention the "Lion Rock Spirit." The terms originated from the theme song of a 1970s TV series, "Below the Lion Rock," which portrays life in Hong Kong at the time.

However, different people interpret the concept differently.

For Chen Zijin the spirit means, "If you now work hard, you will see the brighter future." Noel Shih agrees that it represents the last generation's resilience in that specific historical background.

The older generation sees the "Lion Rock Spirit" as the proud spiritual basis of Hong Kong's social-economic development in the past decades and the idea that locals can always turn obstacles into opportunities. 

Tang Bo noted that, "Resilience is highlighted when we see the market is vibrant and the international financial center remains strong with expectations of a brighter future in the post-COVID era."

"The brighter future of Hong Kong is yet to come with the rising of the Chinese mainland," Noel Shih said.

"The city is strong, don't worry about that," Tang Bo continued.

The "Lion Rock Spirit" is a spiritual support for residents of all ages in Hong Kong and a sign of openness to mutual understanding, respect for the rule of law and continuous resilience – necessary elements for the "Pearl of the Orient" to continue shining bright.