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Letters

Foreigners make a big contribution

Sam Wong ('Expats have done little to benefit city', January 3) clearly feels aggrieved at the presence of foreigners in this wonderful city.

He may be correct that Hong Kong's competitiveness does not depend solely on expatriates or domestic helpers (whom he groups together); however both contribute greatly to it.

'Expatriates', or 'foreigners', come to Hong Kong for work opportunities, yes, but to say they do not make a contribution demonstrates a blinkered view.

They provide a diversity of skills, expertise and experience that enriches Hong Kong.

Many choose to make Hong Kong their permanent home and have made a huge contribution to our society. Many have learned Cantonese, married into the community and become part of it.

This is often achieved with considerable effort. The difficulties faced by non-Chinese-speaking foreigners who are not on hefty salary packages in educating their children, and by domestic helpers who are victims of rampant abuse and are often not paid the legal minimum, are two examples.

It is interesting to note, in passing, that many of the 'local' people of whom Sam Wong speaks are first-, second- or third-generation 'expatriates' themselves, attracted by the prospects and freedom from political persecution.

It was the sight of fresh water gushing from a waterfall somewhere near Cyberport that caused the hated foreigners to anchor their ships here in the first place.

Hong Kong has benefited from many of its young people having been educated overseas and bringing an international dimension home with them.

The government has long realised that the import of talent from overseas is essential.

Hong Kong promotes itself as 'Asia's world city'. Without what is a very small proportion of our total population from overseas, we can hardly make that claim.

Graham Price, North Point

Not all expats came here for a better job

In his letter ('Expats have done little to benefit city', January 3) Sam Wong writes, 'Expatriates who have come to this city to work do so because they can't get a better job at home.' I beg to differ.

I came to Hong Kong because my wife, who was born in Hong Kong, wanted to return from Canada after living there for 17 years.

I did not come on some expat package with all the fringe benefits. I had to make my own way here, and I left a perfectly good job to do so.

As a photography teacher, my work involves helping people improve their skills so they can be proud of the images they make, whether they are expatriates or locals.

In fact a rather large portion of my students are Hongkongers.

They benefit from the ability to capture the important and not-so-important events in their lives in a creative way, helping them to enjoy their hobby more and relieve the stress of their working lives. So don't paint all expats with the same brush; it's insulting and utterly inaccurate.

Randall van der Woning, Tai Po

New Tamar site may have to be gutted

It is a pity that the new Hong Kong government complex in Admiralty is contaminated.

I witnessed part of the construction and took photos. I can think of several things that could have gone wrong.

In the US, where legionnaires' disease was first discovered, it was the cooling system that harboured the bacteria, specifically the cooling tower.

There are also issues that arise in the construction process when contractors don't complete the exterior work before finishing the interior.

I saw that happen in the US during the housing boom. I wouldn't buy one of those houses, though the issue in that case is black mould. A relative in Houston, Texas, faced hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage due to black mould from a leaking refrigerator.

Regardless of the cause, the repairs will cost a fortune and may require stripping the building down to the concrete and removing everything. They are in uncharted territory.

A civil engineer should be consulted on the issue for his opinion. I would be very interested in reading his response.

Samuel Pyeatte, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, US

11,000 would benefit from guide dogs

Underlying the story of the guide dogs Google and Iris ('Custody battle over guide dogs', December 24) is the frightening fact that since 1975 only two dogs have been brought to Hong Kong despite the fact there are 11,000 persons whose lives would be greatly enhanced with dogs as seeing-eye companions.

The regulations banning canines from most places are easily fixed: you merely add the phrase 'except guide dogs'.

Mark Peaker, The Peak

Go nuclear to reduce emissions

Given the amount of greenhouse gases released every day, I strongly support the further development of nuclear power.

Nuclear power can help us deal with the problem of greenhouse gases.

It does not produce such gases and can help ensure a cleaner environment.

We also have to accept that we will eventually run out of coal and oil, which are at present being used extensively in power plants.

Gone are the days when fossil fuel was cheap. I believe the use of nuclear power could lower energy costs, which could benefit the economies of nations.

Critics refer to the health risks, but with advanced technology, nuclear facilities can be made safe.

Regulations at all these plants must be tightly enforced and adhered to by the people working there.

I think the further development of nuclear power is inevitable.

Alex Law, Tsuen Wan

Ability, not past papers, key to exam

Form Six pupils are being seen by some as guinea pigs for the new Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam.

Yet excelling in an examination is not about being familiar with the system. Bright pupils will always succeed, with or without past papers or previous experience of an established examination system. I do not see why past papers should have become such a staple part of the preparation for exams in recent years.

I think it is knowledge, common sense, the ability to apply what has been learned and diligence that count. The public exam system has changed, but one thing has not: how the game is played.

It is always the most talented who can secure a place in a university, and they don't attribute their success to past papers.

Frankly speaking, under the old system, many of the pupils who will sit for the diploma would not even have had the chance to study in Form Six or Seven, never mind getting into university.

Pupils and parents have to take a realistic approach and, if necessary, consider alternatives to degree programmes if they wish to continue with post-secondary education.

I understand that pupils are anxious, but rather than blaming the diploma, they should make good use of the time that remains and prepare for the exam.

Cissy Lai, Wong Tai Sin

Pupils feel under a lot of pressure

Some pupils appear to be panicking about the forthcoming new Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam.

Those who are particularly concerned are taking additional classes, while others have gone abroad to study to escape from the policies of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and the core subject of liberal studies.

With the new system, the authority has emphasised the importance of studying for the sake of acquiring knowledge rather than getting high marks in exams.

But a survey I read about showed that some Form Six pupils are feeling extremely stressed about how they will perform in the diploma exams.

They are not getting enough sleep, because of their efforts to study harder and score higher marks.

It saddens me to see pupils being so unhappy about their studies.

They gain no pleasure from learning, and I feel that many of them will probably not have enjoyed much of their Christmas break.

Lau Hoi-tong, Kwai Chung

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