[Explanation] The Spring Festival of the Year of the Tiger is approaching, and it is an important matter for overseas Chinese all over the world to prepare a reunion dinner.
In Southeast Asia, especially Singapore and Malaysia, tasting "Hainan Chicken Rice" is a traditional custom for many Chinese people to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
[Explanation] Hainanese chicken rice was gradually produced during the migration of Hainanese to Nanyang.
Chicken rice has evolved from a common local food in Hainan to a specialty food of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, and finally became the "national dish" of Singapore and Malaysia. After more than a century, what is the password for Hainanese chicken rice to become popular in Southeast Asia?
What are the implications for cross-cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries?
【同期】中国社会科学院民族学与人类学研究所民族社会研究室主任 张继焦
Most of the Hainanese overseas immigrants settled in Southeast Asia.
Hainanese chicken rice was originally a staple in their family, and later became their means of earning a living in Malaysia and Singapore.
As more and more Hainanese immigrate overseas to Singapore and Malaysia, more and more Hainanese are also engaged in the business of making chicken rice.
In this context, Hainanese chicken rice is popular in Singapore and Malaysia, so its commercial value continues to increase.
[Explanation] Since the 1970s, the tourism industry in Southeast Asia and other countries has flourished.
The catering industry is the pillar industry of tourism.
Countries such as Singapore and Malaysia continue to recognize the international value of the locally popular Hainanese chicken rice, and have successively defined it as their "national dish".
【同期】中国社会科学院民族学与人类学研究所民族社会研究室主任 张继焦
In recent years, in the face of fierce market competition, the degree of commercialization of Hainanese chicken rice has continued to increase.
Chicken rice operators are constantly innovating and exploring new functions to meet the new needs of consumers and the times.
Through the continuous transformation of structure and function, not only the traditional (food) culture can be passed on smoothly, but also the vigorous development of Hainanese chicken rice (culture) is realized.
[Explanation] Hainanese chicken rice is based on Wenchang chicken in Hainan.
Wenchang Chicken ranks first among the four major delicacies in Hainan.
Zhang Shuoren, dean of the Nationalities College of Hainan Tropical Ocean University and a professor at Hainan University, said that in Hainan's mainstream culture, "no chicken can't be a feast", and a banquet without this dish will be called "a talk without chicken".
【同期】海南热带海洋学院民族学院院长、海南大学教授 张朔人
The earliest record of Wenchang chicken should be found in Ma Ribing's "Kangxi Wenchang County Chronicle".
As a bird, chicken has a very high status in Hainan. "No feast without chicken" is a common saying in Hainan.
Among the sacrifices to the ancestors, there must be chickens.
【解说】饮食在人类日常生活中充当重要角色，体现了某个地域、民族乃至国家的文化特色。海南鸡饭在东南亚盛行的同时，为适应当地不同人群的口味，不断创新，以致于更好地融入当地饮食文化。当今世界，跨文化交流已成为人们生活中不可或缺的一部分，海南鸡饭对跨文化交流有着深刻启示。
【同期】海南热带海洋学院民族学院院长、海南大学教授 张朔人
(在海外的)海南三代、海南四代乃至海南五代，在所居住国有所作为一定是既不忘故土文化，也要纳入(当地)新的文化，所以从早期的水煮鸡变成了烤鸡，就是体现着非常清晰的思路，它要融入当地社会。
【解说】张继焦强调，一个地区对外开放，必须要有文化自信。随着人口流动以及旅游业发展，饮食作为人类生存基本需求，是“跨文化”交流的较好媒介。
【同期】中国社会科学院民族学与人类学研究所民族社会研究室主任 张继焦
民族的也是世界的，海南和新加坡、马来西亚共吃一碗海南鸡饭，值得期待！
记者 林士杰 王辛莉 张茜翼 海口报道
责任编辑：【孙静波】