Does distance make the heart grow fonder? Social contact and attitudes toward Mainland Chinese in Hong Kong

In recent decades, anti-outgroup movements have intensified worldwide. This study investigates how both positive and negative forms of social contact, along with individuals’ immigration background, shape Hong Kong residents’ attitudes toward Mainland Chinese. Drawing on data from the Hong Kong Panel Study of Social Dynamics (HKPSSD), we conceptualize negative social contact with Mainlanders as passive, sustained exposure to the influx of Mainland visitors. We find that such exposure is associated with more negative attitudes toward Mainlanders. This association is primarily observed among residents who were not born in Mainland China. Conversely, positive social contact, captured by recent visits to Mainland China and Mandarin proficiency, is linked to more favorable attitudes. While the association between the recent travel experience and attitudes is stronger among non-Mainland-born residents, the connection between linguistic familiarity and attitudes is mainly seen among Hong Kong residents born in Mainland China. Together, these findings reveal the nuanced interplay of contact type and immigration background in shaping intergroup attitudes and highlight pathways for fostering social cohesion in multicultural urban contexts.