What global London can teach local Hong Kong about cultural diversity

Paul Yip says the city should embrace and tap the potential of its ethnic minorities, as other advanced economies have done to great benefit. London, with its first Muslim mayor, is an example to follow

Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong

Paul Yip

Published: 1:34pm, 6 Jun 2016

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The election of Sadiq Khan as mayor of London should be of interest to Hongkongers in understanding what a global city is all about. London is one of most important finance centres in the world. It has a population of 8.6 million people, with 44 per cent consisting of black and ethnic minorities, while one in eight is Muslim. The cultural diversity has enriched its business, finance and politics and the city attracts many people from different parts of the world.

Sadiq Khan – mayor of London and role model for Muslims

In fact, cultural diversity – with ethnic minorities having a significant presence – is the norm for the world’s leading financial centres - 67 per cent in New York, 59 per cent for San Francisco, 20 per cent for Paris and 26 per cent in Singapore. In Hong Kong, the figure is only 6.5 per cent, or about 446,500 out of a 7-million-plus population. Among those, some 254,100 are foreign domestic helpers. The rest of the group, or 192,400, include whites (27.8 per cent), mixed race (14.6 per cent), and South Asians, including Nepalese, Pakistanis and Indians (31.9 per cent).

In terms of cultural diversity, Hong Kong is a very local community. Also, nearly a quarter of South Asians in Hong Kong, 22.6 per cent, live in poverty, compared with a poverty rate of 14.3 per cent among the general population. Among ethnic minorities living in poverty here, 51.8 per cent are South Asians. In London, Indians and Chinese earn more or less the same as Caucasians.

Ethnic minority students learning at a secondary school in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong ethnic minorities fall through the cracks

London has benefited from the richness of its ethnic minorities. For Hong Kong to maintain its competitiveness, we should invest in our ethnic minorities and adopt an inclusive approach to development. For example, there are consistent calls to provide language support, and education and training opportunities, to ethnic minority children, to improve their chances later in life.

In London, Khan has pledged to improve transport and housing, which have become the two most critical issues in the city. That sounds familiar; accommodation and transport costs have made life difficult, if not unbearable, for many Hongkongers.

While it is too early to say whether Khan can resolve the problems, at least Londoners have given him a chance. Unfortunately, Hong Kong remains in a political deadlock where no one can do anything, resources are wasted and opportunities missed. Legislative Council filibustering has achieved nothing.

Thai Buddhists in Hong Kong celebrate Songkran with flowers that are used as an offering to the Buddha. Photo: Nora Tam

First, a cabbie. Next, a legislator of South Asian descent in Hong Kong?

Though we still have many complaints about the government, it is interesting to note that Hong Kong has regained the top spot in the IMD world competitiveness rankings this year, outperforming others in an assessment that takes into account economic performance, government and business efficiency, and infrastructure. Despite a few hiccups recently, we enjoy one of the best and most affordable health care systems. We have an independent judiciary, which we can count on in times of dispute. We have some of the best universities to nurture the young, and we have many charities which are ready to provide help to those in need. We feel safe here, too.

Khan won the mayoral election by a wide margin over his conservative rival, which can be seen as an endorsement for him representing London as a multifaceted, pluralistic and tolerant city. London provides an interesting example of how unity can be found in a diverse population; how an individual, whatever his or her ethnic background, can participate fully as a citizen. Resonating with most Londoners, Khan described himself thus: “I am a Londoner, I am European, I am British, I am English, I am of Islamic faith, of Asian origin, of Pakistani heritage, a dad, a husband.”

Hong Kong is facing an acute ageing challenge and we have yet to fully realise the benefits of having ethnic minorities in our midst who are younger, on average, than the local population. Making Hong Kong an attractive place for foreign talent to settle is important for future development; we should also develop into an inclusive community, appreciating the presence of others, and making Hong Kong a liveable place and a truly global city.

Paul Yip is a professor of social work and social administration at the University of Hong Kong

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