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Inter-group contact and national identity: Evidence from Hong Kong and Macau students in the mainland of China

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Zehui
  • Liao, Haoye
  • Ma, Sen
  • Qiu, Junjie
  • Xue, Sen

Abstract

We leverage exogenous mixed-dormitory room assignments between Hong Kong/Macau (HM) students and mainland Chinese students at a Chinese university to investigate intergroup contact's effects on national identity. We find that mixed-room experience significantly enhances the national identity with China for both HM and mainland students. The heterogeneous analysis suggests that for HM students, the national identity rises more when paired with culturally proximate mainland peers (Cantonese speakers), and for mainland students, their national identity is bolstered when living with relatively low economic status HM peers. Additionally, mixed-room experience increases the mainland Chinese media usage and the preference for working in the mainland of China after graduation for HM students.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Zehui & Liao, Haoye & Ma, Sen & Qiu, Junjie & Xue, Sen, 2026. "Inter-group contact and national identity: Evidence from Hong Kong and Macau students in the mainland of China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:179:y:2026:i:c:s0304387825001762
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2025.103625
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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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