Can Hongkongers who marry mainlanders adapt to life across the border?
Survey says differing political views contribute to tensions at home, while issues outside include different work styles and languages
Hongkongers who marry partners in mainland China find it harder to adapt to life across the border and a different political system, compared with mainlanders who marry residents in the city, a recent survey has found.
On Tuesday the Hong Kong Ideas Centre, a think tank founded in 2008 and chaired by pro-establishment businessman Fung Siu-por, presented the poll findings on 800 individuals in cross-border marriages.
The survey – the second of its kind done by the centre – was conducted in June and July. The sample pool involved 804 people, with 200 Hongkongers married and living on the mainland, and 200 mainlanders married and living in Hong Kong.
In general, the survey found that spouses married to Hongkongers have adapted well to a life after marriage. Aspects polled included new working styles, languages, living habits and interpersonal relationships.
However, on average, Hongkongers who married mainlanders saw less advancement when adapting to life across the border.