Britain's legacy 'missing' on list of 480 things that represent Hong Kong's culture

The inventory's aim is to list the items that best represent the Hong Kong community and provide cultural continuity. But despite the city's rich colonial history, it does not include any overtly Western items.

"The list does not really reflect Hong Kong's bicultural heritage," University of Hong Kong history professor John Carroll said. "I don't know how [a lot of the items] really represent Hong Kong rather than Chinese culture in general."

The inventory does, however, include many non-local items such as Bangladesh's International Mother's Day and Teej, the Nepalese festival of women. Compiled over seven years, the list features 480 items ranging from oral traditions to social practices and craftsmanship.

IN FULL: The Hong Kong cultural heritage list

The project began in 2006 after the government commissioned researchers from the University of Science and Technology to create the inventory following passage of a UN convention on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.