About face
The Great Hong Kong-Mainland Squabble has deteriorated from rudeness to outright xenophobia. The issues are unquestionably real but opinionated (and offensive) proclamations on the internet, on television and in newspapers do nothing to ease this clash of cultures.
So why does a solution seem so far away? A lot of it comes down to face. As an Indian, I know that in most Asian cultures, saving face is of the utmost importance: these quarrels stem not from what is right, but who is right, and which side's pride, honour and ego will be irreparably damaged if they're the first to back down.
When it comes to the hurling of invective, both sides are obviously in the wrong, and while this public sparring might give each side temporary victories, there can only be one long-term solution: live and let live. Like a teacher coming between two constantly bickering kids, perhaps an outside moderator needs to sit both parties down and explain how things work.
To locals: mainlanders keep our economy strong, so stop complaining lest they stop shopping. To mainlanders: it may be one country, but there are still two systems in play, so please mind your manners and show locals the same respect you would to your host if you were a guest in someone's home.
Once the air has been cleared, the Hong Kong government could raise public hospitals rates for non-residents to private levels; start a campaign on the benefits of learning Putonghua; and, most importantly, resolve to condemn future storm-in-teacup protests, offensive full-page ads and discrimination, such as the prevention of specific people taking photographs in public areas.
Face being a factor, perhaps it would be instructive to bear this in mind: to outsiders, the opposing camps both look like bickering, arrogant children. In the end, they're both losing face.
