Hong Kong’s next chief executive must better heed ethic minority views
Bernard Chan says representatives from the community are making their voices heard, and Hong Kong’s next administration should take them seriously, and start making changes
Discriminatory language abounds in describing Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities
But there is another important reason why the challenges facing minorities here have gained far more attention. The ethnic minorities themselves have learned how to get together and organise. They have built up an effective lobby and are getting their messages across to officials, the media and politicians.
There are a range of issues they expect the next administration to address. One of these is simply recognition of who and what ethnic minorities are. The groups behind the minorities’ lobby are mainly South Asian – of Nepalese, Pakistani and Indian heritage, along with some of Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan backgrounds. There is also a sizeable community of Filipinos. These are permanent or long-term residents.
Some are not particularly well-off and qualify for welfare and public housing. But many others run businesses of various sizes, and some are professionals with good middle-class incomes. One odd thing is that the label “ethnic minority” usually does not include Hong Kong’s permanent resident population of Westerners. The minorities’ representatives would like to see this changed.
Non-white ethnic minorities in Hong Kong most discriminated against in banking and property services, study finds
Many people assume that the main problem faced by minorities comes down to language. But the minorities’ representatives say this is too simplistic. Many in these communities speak Cantonese or English, or both. They do face a major barrier in reading and writing Chinese. This affects their ability to access many local college-level educational options and job opportunities, not least in the public sector.
Ethnic minorities stress that their language abilities should be seen as a potential asset to Hong Kong
Wealthier non-Chinese in Hong Kong have more alternatives to the government education system and its tough written-Chinese requirements. Poorer minorities, on the other hand, are significantly disadvantaged. For years, they have called for more specialist teaching for minority kids to build up Chinese-language skills. The picture is even worse for minority children with special education needs, who have few options available.