The exchange between China and the West has an ancient origin, and have continued through history. With the increase of contact between Chinese and westerners in modern times, Western influence become more apparent in China, especially in the living style of its people. To examine how the food and fashion of Chinese people were affected as the result of these cross-cultural interactions, CityU’s Department of Chinese and History (CAH) recently co-organised a series of two online talks themed “The Lifestyle as the East Meets West” with the Curriculum Development Institute (the Personal, Social and Humanities Education section) of Hong Kong’s Education Bureau, supported by Tin Ka Ping Foundation.

The first talk held on 7 December 2021 was all about food culture. Professor CHING May-bo, Head of CAH and Director of Chinese Civilisation Centre, shared anecdotes about Western cuisine found in 18th to 19th century Canton (now Guangzhou). Between 1757 and 1842, Qing China focused all trade with the West on the southern port of Canton. Chinese merchants known as “Hong” often received foreign traders in their mansions, offering both Chinese and western delicacies. At the same time, foreign traders also hired locals to look after their daily lives and cook their meals. Through looking into documents of that period, such as travel journals, navigation logbooks, language learning booklets, and drawings of objects, historians have identified the types of western cutlery that were being used in Chinese merchants’ families, and the western dishes local chefs could cook. Apart from sharing these discoveries, Professor Ching also told the intriguing stories of two western dishes, the turtle soup and curry chicken, during the two hours with the audience, who are local primary and secondary teachers.

Hosted by Dr LO Kar-kee of CAH on 10 December 2021, the second talk examined the fashion style in the 1920s and 1930s from the gender studies perspective. Dr Lo first pointed out that the clothing worn by both males and females has changed tremendously as society evolved from traditional to modern. This was especially the case in coastal cities, such as Shanghai, where Chinese and western cultures blended and converged. People in these cities became interested in modern taste and style. The concepts of body liberation and modern aesthetic embodied in the fashion of that era. It was the subject of discussion of the talk.