(Mike Jansen, Hong Kong SAR Monday 15 November 2010)

I have been living in Asia for ten years and have become very accustomed to the cultural nuances of Chinese society. 

About six of these years were spent working and living in the industrial melting pot that is Northern Taiwan.  While there is this political tug-of-war between the Mainland (People’s Republic of China/PRC) and Taiwan (Republic of China/ROC) my experiences are that the cultural differences between these two states on opposite sides of the Taiwan Straits are few and far between.

Which brings me to my own country.  I always marvel at how some South Africans can be critical, embarrassed even, of our current President Jacob Zuma when he attends the traditional Reed Dancing ceremonies in his native KwaZulu Natal.  As is the custom, he always appears in traditional Zulu garb and almost always partakes in the traditional Zulu dances.

                  The gathering. Zulu men gather in KwaZulu Natal (Pic: Thanda.com)

This post was inspired by a picture I saw on the South China Morning Post website of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao partaking in what I think is a fan-dance, or a sort of tai-chi exercise.  Chinese leaders are always seen to do this whenever they visit other Asian countries or foreign countries with large Chinese communities.  The picture was taken in Macau which is, like Hong Kong, another of China’s Special Administrative Regions (SAR).

Morning Tai Chi. Parks in China or Chinese communities look like this every morning.

China, like South Africa is a very diverse, multi-cultural country. 

While Premier Wen is Han Chinese (the Han is an ethnic group in China) Chinese people in general don’t frown when he ‘dances’ with women cluching a big red fan.

Let Zuma dance, I say.

Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah Staying Alive! John Travolta Wen Jiabao shows his moves (Pic: scmp.com.hk)

South African President Jacob Zuma in traditional Zulu garb

China may not have made the cut as it were for the 2010 Football World Cup Finals back home, but that didn’t stop these Chinese “Doedies” (girls/xiao jie/mei mei/小妹妹) from showing their allegiance to the 32 nations taking part in South Africa.

Maybe I was a little distracted, but I couldn’t put my finger on all the nations portrayed on the SKII-toned skins of our cutesy models.  For example, which one represents the Dutch?

Can you help out?

(Click on the the Flickr slide-show below or here and add you selection to the Comments section)

(PS. I normally don’t post what some would consider ‘racy’ pics, but in the spirit of the World Cup, I categorized these as “Moderate” in the Flickr album. For this reason, the slide-show may now be available, in that case go directly to our Flickr-page here)

Hong Kong tonight ushered in the Year of the Tiger in true Chinese style: with a HK$3 million spectacular fireworks display.  While the lighting of fireworks remain illegal in Hong Kong, the annual New Year’s Day fireworks display is a major draw-card on the tourist calendar.  

The 20-minute extravaganza was lauched from 3 barges docked 200 meters apart in Victoria Harbour opposite the Avenue of the Stars.

Some of the features of this year’s display included images of tigers as well as gold ingots that signifies the Year of the Tiger and prosperity.

Howzit-HongKong had it’s trusty point-and-click handy and we shot the following clip:

Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year is the most important Festival on the traditional Chinese calendar.  It is part of the Spring Festival that starts on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar and ends of the 15th day that is called Lantern Festival.

This year Hong Kong celebrates the start of the Year of the Tiger that coincides with the (western) Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2010.

Here are some of the traditional decorations that can be seen around Hong Kong:

Lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo is known as ‘Kai Yun Zhu’  in Chinese, which means ‘bamboo that invites good fortune’.

Lucky Bamboo represents the natural 5 elements of water, earth, wood, metal and fire to balance the flow of energy or ‘chi’ in the house.

A red ribbon is tied around the stalks to represent the fire element. The number of bamboo stalks and layers has its own symbolic meaning:

2 for Love & Marriage

3 for Happiness

5 for Perfection

6 for Luck

8 for Wealth and Abundance

9 for Everlasting Good Fortune and Happiness

Tangerines & oranges

Tangerines and oranges are commonly displayed in homes and shops. Tangerines symbolises ‘good tidings’ as it sounds like ‘good luck’ in Chinese. Oranges symbolises wealth as it sounds like ‘gold’ in Cantonese.

Peach blossoms

Peach blossoms symbolise ‘courage and hope’. The blossoms burst forth at the end of winter season on a seemingly lifeless branch.

Here are some more pictures I took around Hung Hom Bay:

When asked about what they like about living in China (we’ve also lived in Taiwan before) my kids sometimes respond: “We get to celebrate TWO New Years!” What they don’t say is that they get TWO New Year’s holidays off from school!

Living in Hong Kong, we foreigners indeed have the benefit of two New Year holidays.  The Western New Year is welcomed with great fanfare including an expensive fireworks display, while the Lunar New Year is celebrated along age-old Chinese traditions that also includes fireworks, New Year’s Parades and displays.  Taiwan does not celebrate the (Western) New Year, while Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, sees the island enjoying a 7-day break.  The Mainland normally also have a holiday of about 7 days over the Lunar New Year.

This year, Lunar New Year falls on the same day as (the Western) Valentine’s Day… February 14, 2010.

Stay close to Howzit-HongKong.com for more features on the Chinese Lunar New Year.  In the meantime, if you’re not familiar with the New Year’s greeting in Cantonese, start learning the follow phrase:

San nin faai lok!

(Generally: Happy New Year! More specifically: Congratulations and be prosperous!)

This article appeared in the Post Magazine (June 28, 2009).  Taipei-born Chris Wang Yi-ju was one of 3 Chinese members of South Africa’s parliament.

So most of the schools in Hong Kong are finally closed for an early summer break.  Some kids have already been at home for more than a week and they are already uttering those 3 dreaded words: “Mom/Dad… I’m bored!”

“Take them off to Pacific Place,” I say.  “That way they can have the run of a huge mall and learn something more about South African culture through local eyes.” 

South African Tourism is putting on an exhibition of great photographs from 10 top Chinese professional photographers titled “South Africa through the Chinese lens.”  If, like me, you’re on your way home to escape the Asia heat, what a way to ease yourself back into home.

The five day exhibition, the largest of its type to be held locally, aims to give visitors and appreciation of the attractive destinations, diverse people and culture of South Africa as seen through the eyes of 10 top Chinese professional photographers. 

The event was officially launched by Ms Tembi Tambo, The Consul-General of South African Consulate in Hong Kong; Ms Tracy Qi, Acting Country Manager, Tourism Section, South African Embassy Beijing; and celebrity Mr Wong Chi Chung and his family. The exhibition will be on show from 24-28 June 2009 in the main Park Court of the mall.

Welcome to South Africa! Ms Tracy Qi, Acting Country Manager, Tourism Section, South African Embassy Beijing (right), Mr Wong Chi Chung and family

Photos will be grouped into five themes – Lifestyle & Urban Life, Culture & Wildlife, Luxury Travel, Heritage & National Parks and Adventure & Scenic Beauty.

Ms Tembi Tambo, The Consul-General of South African Consulate in Hong Kong said, “It’s my pleasure to be here today. The photo gallery today is an excellent platform to showcase South Africa’s natural scenery, culture and urban life for different perspectives. I hope you will enjoy the beautiful photos and come to join us in South Africa in the near future.”

Tracy Qi, Acting Country Manager, Tourism Section, South African Embassy Beijing said, “We hope the photo gallery showcases South Africa as an attractive destination. Visitors to the country are frequently impressed by its scenic beauty, sense of adventure and breathtaking wildlife. In the lead up to the World Cup 2010, South Africa Tourism hopes this exhibition will showcase an accessible, friendly, and welcoming destination.” 

Details are as follows:

 Date: 24 – 28 June 2009 (Wednesday to Sunday)

Time: Daily from 10am to 9pm

Venue: Pacific Place – Park Court (88 Queensway, Admiralty)