Blatant hypocrisy

I refer to the report headlined 'Australian school caned for 'racist' depiction of Chinese' (South China Morning Post, March 20).

There are laws in place in Australia to deal with any alleged racism. There is, for example, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and the Racial Hatred Act 1995.

In addition, many states have their own laws which make racial discrimination and vilification illegal.

What corresponding laws does Hong Kong have? The answer is none.

Hong Kong people apparently expect (and under Australian law would receive) protection overseas from racial discrimination in its various forms without offering reciprocal protection in the SAR. In my opinion this is blatant hypocrisy.

CHARLES P. MARTENS