Allan Roger's letter headlined 'Localisation a euphemism for 'racial purity' ' (South China Morning Post, March 27) is nothing but a failure to accept reality and evolution.
The government policies which Mr Roger claims 'victimise the expatriate civil servants' are in fact aimed at creating a level playing field and offer equal opportunities to all civil servants.
When many capable Hong Kong Chinese civil servants were denied equal opportunities and sidelined from promotions because expats had experience, so it was claimed, where were Mr Roger and the claims to the Basic Law and the Bill of Rights? If expat civil servants are really that capable and do not want to be 'victimised', let them show their sincerity towards Hong Kong and the local culture - learn the Chinese language, mix with the locals and make real contributions to local society.
Just being a resident is not making a real contribution. Acknowledging local talent is one way expat civil servants can start showing their sincerity. Gone are the days when they could just sit back and expect to receive, and indeed did receive, for little input.
Hong Kong is now part of China. While English may be the lingua franca of business, just as important as Spanish is in the Spanish Government or Swahili in East Africa, so is Chinese in China. Expat civil servants, wake up and face reality! If the job requires an ability to understand local language and culture, so be it.
Learn Chinese and prove your worth.