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Letters

Schoolbooks perpetuating stereotypes
The material in the New General Studies P3  textbook (Book 6) and Primary 4 General Studies book, The Wonderful World, approved by the Education Bureau and Curriculum Development Institute for use in Hong Kong schools does a great disservice to our students and teachers.
The content that was pointed out in the report ("Textbook asks: can you match the races?", June 3) does not achieve the supposed aim of "promoting racial harmony". Rather, it perpetuates shallow perceptions, superficiality and blanket statements about different races and cultures.
I am from the Philippines and have made Hong Kong my home for over 40 years. Racial harmony and respect for people of different races and cultures are based on knowledge and understanding.
Where there could have been an opportunity to draw on the richness of the culture of the diverse groups who make up Hong Kong, these textbooks instead convey stereotypes which neither stimulate thinking nor an appreciation and understanding of people of different ethnic groups who enrich our city.
The stereotyping material is insulting to Hong Kong's multicultural, multinational and multiracial community, which contributes to the success of this city in a huge variety of roles and professions.
It is insulting and damaging to the young students who are being fed such material, which can only lead to discrimination and misunderstanding, and sows the seeds of future racial and cultural tensions.
It is shocking that the material was developed by members of the Institute of Education and approved by the Education Bureau.
Nelly Fung, co-founder, Chinese International School, ISF (Independent Schools Foundation) Academy
 
Flawed MPF scheme likely to remain
I refer to the report ("Tsang reluctant to axe MPF despite flaws in scheme", May 26).
I find Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah's comment that the Mandatory Provident Fund scheme has fallen short, but should not be changed hastily, amazing.
It suggests further procrastination or, worse, pandering to the elites that gain much while we, the people, lose much.
Since the scheme was introduced in 2000 there have been complaints and the shortcomings have been known since its inception.
Tsang says changes need to be considered from "various policy perspectives". What perspectives might these be, the management fees of often up to 2 per cent? What hinders the immediate lowering of them? Only one thing - the fat cats will get less.
The procrastination here fits so well with so many issues the government never addresses or takes years to deal with.
Then, when it does address the problem, it introduces measures with little or no enforcement power.
A case in point is the smoking ban in indoor public places. Similarly, the idling engine ban is almost never enforced. Also, we are still waiting for the problems relating to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel to be dealt with.
Given the government's track record, I doubt if we will ever see the MPF scheme reformed.
Terry Scott, Sha Tin
 
Beaches need warning signs for red tides
A giant signboard posted at the entrance of every government gazetted beach warns us of illegal beach activities intended to ensure everyone enjoys a safe day - no ball games/kites/frisbees, less an errant object injure someone.
However, how about the Leisure and Cultural Services Department warning us about something that actually is injurious: red tides?
Last Monday's Tuen Ng/Dragon Boat festival is traditionally one of the busiest beach and swimming days of the year. Yet with beaches such as South Bay so red they resembled Taiji Cove, home of Japan's infamous dolphin slaughter, lifeguards failed to warn swimmers of the danger; ditto every beach on the island.
I for one contracted conjunctivitis swimming at Shek O that day, where the waters were very clear to the naked eye. Later in the day I noticed reddish-pink waters around Tai Tam Bay, leaving me wondering how many dragon boat participants and swimmers in Stanley were also left with weeping, infected eyes. Earlier this year articles in this newspaper warned that Hong Kong would experience more red tides as more sewage was pumped into the ocean from the mainland.
Considering water clarity is no indication of cleanliness, why doesn't the department take a more proactive approach to monitoring our waters by hoisting a red tide flag on the beaches when necessary?
I am sure it would get a lot more use than its shark alert flag.
Kenneth Howe, Shek O
 
Local eateries part of fabric of Hong Kong
Part of Hong Kong's popularity, which contributes to its prosperity, is the diversity of its cuisine.
While this is to be celebrated, you see fast food becoming increasingly popular and some people speculate that these chains could eventually push out traditional local fare. However, I do not think this will happen.
Traditional local food has a long history. There are many stories about the dishes and the eateries that serve them, and they are part of the collective memory of Hongkongers.
Being a multicultural city, Eastern and Western dishes have always been popular with citizens.
For instance, you can have a distinctive Hong Kong drink that mixes coffee with milk tea. Some of our favourite dishes were invented by eatery owners who were trying to be competitive and come up with something different just to enable their businesses to survive.
Some meals have been enjoyed by generations of Hongkongers, such as congee. Then there is milk tea, bean curd pudding and red bean pudding.
Many dishes remain favourites for the same reason as in the past; they are cheap, so lunch can cost only a few dollars. Hong Kong cuisine is closely related to the lives of people here.
As I said, this traditional food is part of our collective memory, part of what gives us a sense of belonging to Hong Kong. It is a part of the fabric of a city we all treasure. It is also about the relationship you have with the vendors. You will greet and talk to the elderly people selling fried chestnuts and stinky tofu.
Buying and eating local, cheap cuisine helps to form a bridge between different groups and generations.
It is as much about human relationships as eating, and fast food can never replace that.
Although it suits the frenetic pace of Hong Kong, I actually find fast food to be oily and unhealthy to eat.
Charity Ng Shuk-ling, Kowloon Tong
 
Nations are desperate for China tourists
Hong Kong may become the first city to limit the number of tourists it allows from the mainland.
Many countries are eager to attract more tourists, particularly from China, because Chinese visitors have huge purchasing power when it comes to luxury goods and property. This can help these nations financially at a time when the global economy is still unstable.
For example, South Korea eased visa restrictions for Chinese tourists last year. Germany launched campaigns to attract them last year, with some particularly designed to woo young people, and it is now much easier for them to get a visa. The present visa requirement for entry to the US may be removed in the near future.
The Hong Kong government is talking about a possible cut of 20 per cent of mainland visitors. These people have been a key growth engine for Hong Kong since the outbreak of Sars in 2003.
According to the Census and Statistics Department, the value of retail sales was HK$173 billion and HK$494 billion in 2003 and 2013 respectively. Clearly, mainland tourists have been important to Hong Kong's economic growth over the past 10 years.
Confrontations between them and local residents have been caused by overcrowded public transport and shopping areas, shortages of daily necessities such as infant formula and higher rents and property prices.
Although any possible reduction in the number of mainland tourists is still under review, it is clear that Hong Kong people believe some policies must be introduced in order to avoid more public discontent.
Sunny Lam Kwok-tai, Tseung Kwan O 
 
Credibility lost over failure to enforce laws
C. Woods' letter ("Failure to enforce laws in Hong Kong is bad for society", May 27) is pertinent, and poignant, as former police officers have invested much pride in the Hong Kong Police Force (Royal or otherwise). Rightfully so, as our police long held the esteemed reputation of being the most professional in Asia.
If laws are not thoroughly enforced then it is better that they be removed from the statute books.
It spells loss of credibility and support if the community perceives that police officers are confused, lack motivation, or are arbitrary in enforcement of the law.
It appears that our senior police administrators are increasingly concerned with being politically correct and presenting favourable crime statistics. This is a clear case of not being able to see the wood for the trees.
P. C. Law, Quarry Bay


Letters to the Editor, June 7, 2014

Red tide problems at Repulse Bay beach. Photo: Edward Wong

Outrage over primary school textbook that asks pupils to 'match the races'

The series is said to be in use at many "elite schools". Photo: May Tse

John Tsang cautious over changes to mandatory provident fund scheme

Financial chief John Tsang Chun-wah wrote on his official blog that a decision to change the MPF should not be made hastily.

Failure to enforce laws bad for society

Illegal drop-off is seen on a section of Pedder street painted with double yellow lines in Central. Photo: SCMP

Opinion

The material in the New General Studies P3 textbook (Book 6) and Primary 4 General Studies book, The Wonderful World, approved by the Education Bureau and Curriculum Development Institute for use in Hong Kong schools does a great disservice to our students and teachers.
