The Potential of Cultural Exchange under the Belt Road Initiative: A Case Study of Hong Kong Style Café (Cha Chaan Teng)

Authors: Ho Hon Leung and Raymond Lau

Type: Journal
Journal Title: Asian Journal for Social Science (Special Issue, upcoming)

Abstract:
The propose of this paper is to generate a research agenda on exploring the possible prospects of cultural exchanges in the context of trade routes along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by using cha chaan teng (茶餐厅), or Hong Kong style café, which has been a “by-product” of inter-cultural experiences in the 1950s in Hong Kong.  Thus, the theoretical framework used for researching cha chaan teng, and constructing the research agenda are informed with the concepts of food, culture, and mobilities.  Ethnographic in-depth interviews, systematic participant observation of cafes, content analysis of selected cha chaan teng websites were used to gain understanding of this cultural practice.  Drawn on the past development of cha cha cheng, this paper suggests that BRI can be seen as one of the many trade initiatives at the current time, and food consumption, adaptation, and invention along the routes are businesses which go along well with the movements of people and projects.  It is reasonable to expect intriguing business opportunities and products through cultural exchanges, something similar to the development of cha chaan teng started in the past in Hong Kong.  The research agenda advocate inter- and multi-disciplinary theoretical approach and mixed methodologies to explore what new developments will be brought along the routes either something that will emerge as new, or something that will continue to synergize from the past practices.  Hopefully, empirical findings will direct toward a culturally sensitive interaction, in which understanding, compassion, tolerance and respect can be nurtured and developed. 

Keywords:
Cha chann teng (Hong Kong style café), One Belt and One Road Initiative, Mobilities, Diaspora, Cultural exchange