Morgan, Nigel

Phong Ly, Tuan

Zhang, Xiaoyue

English

Digital Commons @ TRU Library (Thompson Rivers University)

Critical Tourism Studies Proceedings 
Volume 2017 Article 3 
2017 
Politics and Museum Representations: Views from Postcolonial 
Chinese Destinations 
Xiaoyue Zhang 
University of Portsmouth, carol.zhang@port.ac.uk 
Nigel Morgan 
Tuan Phong Ly 
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Recommended Citation 
Zhang, Xiaoyue; Morgan, Nigel; and Phong Ly, Tuan (2017) "Politics and Museum Representations: Views 
from Postcolonial Chinese Destinations," Critical Tourism Studies Proceedings: Vol. 2017 , Article 3. 
Available at: https://digitalcommons.library.tru.ca/cts-proceedings/vol2017/iss1/3 
This Abstract is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ TRU Library. It has been accepted 
for inclusion in Critical Tourism Studies Proceedings by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ TRU Library. 
For more information, please contact apaterson@tru.ca. 
 
 
Title: Politics and Museum Representations: Views from Postcolonial Chinese Destinations 
Author: Xiaoyue Carol Zhang1, Nigel Morgan2, & Tuan Phong Ly3 
Affiliation: University of Portsmouth1; Swansea University2; Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao3 
Contact: carol.zhang@port.ac.uk 
Session Type: Presentation 
 
Abstract: 
The purpose of this presentation is to explore the ways in which power and politics 
influence those involved in the reproduction of cultural representations in postcolonial Chinese 
destinations: Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong and Macau were returned to China in the late 
1990s under the concept of “one country, two systems.” Although these two cities are officially 
under the rule of China, their historical marginalisation in ancient Chinese history, rapid 
development during colonial times, and economic superiority before the handover makes them 
different from mainland China (Mathews, 1997; Chou, 2010). Set against the background of this 
“crisis of identity,” this study aims to locate postcolonial national identity debates within museum 
settings. It aims to extend the previous discussions on politics of tourism marketing (Morgan & 
Pritchard, 1998; Zhang, L’Espoir Decosta, & McKercher, 2015). Specifically, this study discusses 
how the History Museum of Hong Kong reveals a discourse of “a long China, but short British 
history.” In contrast, the study shows how the Macao Museum selectively makes, remakes, and 
demakes Macau as a peaceful platform of “East meets West” for the current purpose of presenting 
Macau as an international business city welcoming business from Portuguese-speaking countries. In 
addition, it shows how Macau presents itself as a cultural city rather than a gaming destination. This 
qualitative inquiry, based on both online and printed documents and a series of in-depth interviews 
with local cultural experts, demonstrates the symbolic power of cultural heritage in representing 
people and place. 
 
References: 
Chou, B.K.P. (2010). Building national identity in Hong Kong and Macao. East Asian Policy,  
73–80. 
Mathews, G. (1997). Heunggongyahn: On the past, present, and future of Hong Kong identity. 
Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars, 29(3), 3–13. 
Morgan, N., & Pritchard, A. (1998). Tourism promotion and power: Creating images, creating  
identities. Chichester, UK: Wiley. 
Zhang, C.X., L’Espoir Decosta, P., & McKercher, B. (2015). Politics and tourism promotion:  
Hong Kong’s myth making. Annals of Tourism Research, 54, 156–171. 
 
 
 
  
1
Zhang et al.: Politics and Museum Representations: Views from Postcolonial Chin
Published by Digital Commons @ TRU Library, 2017


Politics and Museum Representations: Views from Postcolonial Chinese Destinations

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Politics and Museum Representations: Views from Postcolonial Chinese Destinations

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