Meet the Australian who speaks Cantonese after 18 months in Hong Kong

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For many expats living in Hong Kong, it is easy to get by without knowing any Cantonese. But Jonas Groom says he decided to put in enough effort to learn the language so he could establish deeper bonds with the local community. The 29-year-old strategy consultant moved to the city in May 2024 and has been learning Cantonese ever since. He began documenting his progress and posted online videos of himself using Cantonese in daily life. Groom says his efforts have earned him a lot of praise on social media, as well as won him many new friends. He says he can feel the appreciation of local people when they converse in Cantonese, during exchanges that solidify Hong Kong as his new home.