(CNN) -- During my travels to some western countries, there have been occasions when people have asked me where I come from. When some hear that I'm from Hong Kong, they would often say: "So, you are Japanese!" This has happened so often that I find it more convenient to simply tell them I'm Chinese, rather than explain how Hong Kong's sits in relation to mainland China. Hong Kong does not enjoy the global familiarity enjoyed by places like New York, Paris or London. The residents of these cities can just say they are from those cities to anyone in the world and there would be little questions asked about their nationality.
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Hong Kong is culturally and politically distinct from other Chinese cities
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Douglas Young: I believe the majority of Hong Kong people recognizes that Hong Kong cannot exist as an independent country
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Young: Hong Kong's role in world culture is vital
But this should not deny a @placeholder person the right to explain the difference between their city and other Chinese cities.