AS a very long-time resident of Hong Kong and a ''European'', I cannot help but comment on Jonathan Chamberlain's letter on racism in Hong Kong (South China Morning Post, December 24).

It is laughable to accuse the Chinese of racism. I would like to ask: who brought racism to Hong Kong? The long-suffering Chinese (whom I admire for their restraint and patience) or the arrogant Westerners who first pushed opium, and now ''Western values''? I'd also like to know why the local police harass the Chinese hawkers fighting for their daily rice, and close their eyes on ''white hawkers'' illegally peddling wares of questionable value? Also, why are Chinese illegal immigrants (usefully) working on construction sites regularly being arrested and deported while ''Europeans'' can be seen working openly (and also illegally) on endlessly-repeated ''tourist visas'' and are never arrested and/or deported? Is the immigration department blind when it suits them? Is this not proof of racism against the Chinese? I, for one, wait impatiently to see this Western-led ''circus'' ending on July 1, 1997.

JEAN MAURELLET Happy Valley