Definition of national identity
-a person's identity and sense of belonging to one state or to one nation
-a feeling one shares with a group of people, regardless of one's citizenship status
-it is a feeling or spirit which is not tangible
- national identity is not an inborn trait
-a direct result of the presence of elements from the common points in people's daily lives
e.g.
national symbols, language, national colors, the nation's history, national consciousness, blood ties, culture, music, cuisine, radio and television
National identity can be strengthened...
-when the country or nation is threatened militarily, economically and culturally, or when the nation has a fact been totally taken over by an alien empire.
- by the common external threats
=> to seek to unite with fellow countrymen for mutual protection against the common threat
e.g. Taiwan
- the Republic of China has internationally known as Taiwan after losing its UN seat, and the People Republic of China has declared to threatens Taiwan and to conquer and unite
- the popular support for Taiwan independence has greatly increased and tries to affect Taiwan's politics through missile tests and media rhetoric
ways to develop national identity
-.Mass media
Hong Kong TV viewers have access to only a few of them through paid TV
Most of the Hong Kong people are stilling watching the free channels
When the mainland leaders go on foreign trips, local reporters still tend to ask mostly Hong Kong- related questions
promotion of the identity as Hong Kong people will know more about the role of Hong Kong in this world
Hong Kong youth lack of national identity as the conclicts between mainland people and Hong Kong citizens become more serious after 1997
the conflicts between Hong Kong people and the mainland people become more serious as the behaviors of mainland visitors are not good as our expected
they consider the mainland visitors as "enemies"
Hong Kong people have stronger identity as Hong Kong citizens to "fight against" the mainland people
identity of citizens is vital for the national development and the sense of belongings of the citizens
we should teach our next generation to know more about our mother country and develop their sense of national identity