Twenty years after the reunification of Hong Kong, the "One Country, Two Systems" concept is being promoted to the mainland Chinese public by employing stereotypes of the former British colony.

A video made by the Xinhua All-Media Service explains that Hong Kong operates under a different system than the rest of the country after the 1997 handover. And yet, the animated video takes an antiquated and myopic view of the city it attempts to praise as a "peer" to China with its own set of rules.

The video features junks more than once in its depiction of Hong Kong Harbor even though they disappeared in the late 80s, long before reunification occurred. As well, lyrics in the video point out some of Hong Kong's distinguishing characteristics include judges that wear wigs and that "Victoria Peak is not that high."

Although this doesn't really represent how locals think of their city, this perspective is further skewed when the video chooses to remember Hong Kong for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which is not even open yet.

And yet, such misconstrued views don't matter when the video is able to get its main message across, as explained by a rapping teacher.

According to the video, Hong Kong has been given a "big gift box" as part of its return to China after colonial British rule that include judicial independence and the right of final adjudication.

Not part of the "gift box" is the appointment of Hong Kong's Chief Executive, which the video proudly points out with a photo of current appointee, Carrie Lam.

Using the familiar media tactic of combining cartoons and pop music as a way to educate the public, verses spoken in rap explain that Hong Kong is wholly independent except for matters of diplomacy and the military. To clear up that up, explains the video, "please take it up with the central government."

The video doesn't mince words when it comes to criticizing Hong Kong's former rulers. Lyrics describe the lowering of the Union Jack for China's five-starred red flag at the 1997 handover ceremony as "Down with the humiliation, up with sovereignty."

Have a listen for yourself; here are the full translated lyrics (mainland China version here):

Teacher: Time for class! Time for class! We're going to do a very, very, very important exam...

Student: What? Really?

Teacher: It's Hong Kong's... "One country, two systems!"

Student: Th.. th.. that's a blind spot in my knowledge! Teacher (rap): For emphasis, I knock on the blackboard,

so pay attention to the teacher's important points

This is a real cut-off line, for this year is the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with China

You must listen to me carefully, make it enter your heart and mind in order to broaden your knowledge

For Hong Kong's yesterday, today and tomorrow, people can

laugh and smile with "One country, two systems" Male Narrator: A socialist system of 1.3 billion people

is the main factor in unifying the People's Republic of China

Hong Kong maintains its original social system and way of life by becoming a special administration system of China

that has special autonomy

Of note: Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China. "One country, two systems" is a basis for unifying the entire

country

That's why the flag of the People's Republic of China flies simultaneously alongside that of the Special

Administrative Region of Hong Kong Female Singer (chorus one, in Putonghua):

There is a red background to the flag of the bauhinia flower (Hong Kong flag)

The red background comes from the red flag with the five stars

Five star-tipped stamens grow from the bauhinia flower flag

that will stay forever with the motherland Male Narrator: When the country took authority, it granted a big gift box to Hong Kong that included:

administrative power, legislative power, judicial independence, and the right of final adjudication

As for diplomacy and the military... sorry, but Hong Kong does not have authority here

If you have a problem with that, please take it up with the central government Teacher (rap): English, Cantonese, and Mandarin are all equally important

The red Hong Kong dollar is the official currency

Judges still wear wigs

Horses at the racetracks are still bustling

At that moment in 1997

Chinese people in China and throughout the world were brimming with tears

Down with the humiliation, up with sovereignty

Up went our imposing sovereignty



Female Singer (chorus two, in Cantonese):

There is a red background to the flag of our beloved bauhinia flower

Our hearts rely upon our full confidence

The beautiful bauhinia dissolves into five stars will never fade

The shining glory is the most dazzling sight for the eyes Male and Female (rap):

The red flag with five stars sails above Hong Kong

Olympic gold is also the pride of Hong Kong

Financial centers remain strong and have performed well after the financial crisis

Whether by airplane or boat, you have travelled all over the world

And don't envy bridges of other cities

The longest ocean-spanning bridge is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Exchange, the Shanghai-Hong Kong Exchange

will lead to silkworms put into space capsules

The fifth director of the Special Administrative Region has been selected

as only appointed by the central government

The Greater Hong Kong-Macao area is a large bay

The science and technology park opened in Shenzhen

Getting onboard the "One Road, One Belt"

it's important to make arduous efforts and work unceasingly Female Singer (chorus one, in Mandarin): (same as before) Male (rap):

Fragrant egg puffs

Chilled mango sago with pomelo has a great taste

Streetcars have a 100-year history

The Star Ferry sets sail by blowing its whistle

Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway harbor, Victoria Harbor are yours to explore

Victoria Peak is not that high

but you must remember that "One Country, Two Systems" has

been designed well Female Singer (chorus two, in Cantonese): (same as before)

As far as pop songs about the reunification, this is not the only one.

The lack of substantive answers is also seen in the official song of the 20th anniversary to reunification, "Hong Kong, My Home." Sung by an all-star cast that includes Hacken Lee and Miriam Yeung, the song's chorus of "That's how I know I cherish Hong Kong" is explained with verses like "I built my home here" in a place where "alleys are narrow" and "fireworks are bright."

But reasons to explain how Hong Kong fits in with China weren't even part of the official Hong Kong handover song, "All Along There Was You." With versions that include the Four Heavenly Kings of Pop, the lyrics of that song focused upon Hong Kong's convergence "between East and West," imploring it to continue "striding forward" to "surprise the world".

In the years after the handover, Hong Kong has been left at a loss when it comes to its identity. The city has flirted with civil disobedience, views the years before 1997 with heavy nostalgia, and even gifted an alarmist piece of fiction with its top film prize. But as the Xinhua video tells us, what's important isn't what Hong Kongers think of themselves, but the lesson that the teacher is teaching.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath

Images: Sina Video