Reimagining Hong Kong: Transgenerational Memory and Identity Construction in the Diaspora

This study explores the reconstruction of Hong Kong diasporic identity through the lens of transgenerational memory, focusing on the discourse of Hong Kong Diaspora Organizations (DOs) in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Following the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (Anti-ELAB) movement and the imposition of the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020, a new wave of migration has reshaped Hong Kong’s socio-political landscape. This research investigates how DOs utilize collective memory, past presencing, and postmemory to shape the identity of overseas Hongkongers, highlighting the role of intergenerational dialogue in sustaining a cohesive diasporic identity.

Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Corpus-assisted Discourse Studies (CADS), this study examines the online discourse of DOs on platforms like Facebook, where identity and belonging are actively negotiated. It delves into how these organizations construct and sustain an "imagined Hong Kong nation" by invoking shared histories, values, and experiences while addressing the challenges of maintaining a distinct Hong Kong identity under the influence of mainland China. Additionally, the study considers how different generations within the diaspora engage with these narratives, contributing to an evolving identity that balances historical continuity with adaptation to new socio-political contexts.

Preliminary findings suggest that DOs strategically mobilize historical narratives and cultural symbols to cultivate solidarity and community among Hongkongers abroad. This process not only preserves cultural heritage but also serves as resistance against political oppression and cultural assimilation. By employing the concepts of past presencing and postmemory, this research underscores the role of memory work in diasporic identity formation and the complex interplay between transnationalism, generational exchange, and political activism.

This project provides empirical insights into how Hong Kong DOs shape the diasporic identity of overseas Hongkongers, offering a new perspective on transgenerational processes in the transnational space and contributing to the broader discourse on diaspora studies and identity formation.