Much of the western media emphasises that China's government is 'communist' even though communism today exists only in name in China where vibrant capitalism is now the way of life. They should try to understand China's cautious liberalisation policy as social, and political stability has been the very foundation of the ongoing development. At this transitional stage, China cannot afford to swiftly embrace western-style democracy because it risks civil turmoil - as seen in many developing countries.

Mr Simpson is worried the 'world might be offered a strong argument against western democracy'. Such a concept reminds us of cold war sentiment and the 'China threat' theory drummed up by hawks in the Pentagon and Japan.

Sir, please be a little humble and accept the fact that Chinese people are increasingly happy. Just relax, be our guest in 2008 and enjoy the Games.

STEPHEN CHAN, Kowloon Tong

Think Monte Carlo

With regard to the ongoing debate concerning Hong Kong and tourism, there seems to me to be a dearth of imagination on the subject.

Ours is a small and relatively expensive city. Instead of bussing in thousands of tourists on razor-thin profit margins, shouldn't we be attracting a lesser number of high-net-worth individuals, enticing them to stay for a bit and, most importantly, getting them to enthuse about the place to their high-net-worth friends? We should be thinking Monte Carlo not Mong Kok.

Such tourists do not want tack (there are bigger and better Disneylands elsewhere) or a multitude of bland shopping centres; they want something novel, stress-free and, increasingly, environmentally sound.

Our greedy, short-sighted forebears saw to it that we have little architectural heritage to exploit, but what we do have is a vast amount of natural resources: country parks, uninhabited islands, coastline and sea. Why don't we take a fraction of the billions set aside for future white elephants to spruce up these places and make them more accessible? I accept there's a limited amount the Hong Kong government can do about air pollution, but how about convincing villagers that mouldering piles of junk by the side of footpaths are not acceptable, and weekend merrymakers that taking their rubbish away with them is not so arduous after all? Maybe we could employ a few more people to tend to the upkeep of our countryside and beaches. Several of our uninhabited islands could be spiced up with hiking trails (something a little more tasteful than ugly concrete paths, please), boutique hotels, seafront cafes, retreats and water-sports centres.

One or two 'star' attractions will sate visitors just the once; a quality environment will make them wish to return or convince friends to come. To become a successful tourist destination, the Tourism Board must think like a successful tourist - or employ someone who can.

BRIAN HART, Sai Kung

Support appreciated

I congratulate the American Chamber of Commerce's Alan Seigrist for adding its weight to those of us 'greenies' who have long been arguing that the solution to curbing roadside air pollution depends on local government action against traffic polluters and that no further 'discussions' are warranted, ('The truth is right under our noses' October 10).

Sarah Liao Sau-tung, secretary for environment, transport and works, is on record as having stated that the introduction of pollution curtailing actions against owners and drivers can only be taken if and when there is a 'consensus'. You will never obtain a consensus from those in the transport industry or middle-class car owners who feel their exclusive interests are threatened. Mr Seigrist's suggestion that we must start with the reduction of traffic congestion is admirable but it must, however, start with strong government action to deter vehicle ownership in all non-essential vehicle categories. The heavy goods vehicles and buses must be forced to switch to cleaner fuels and have engines with higher emission standards.

Finally, we need a transport and environment chief with vision. Recently, one major bus company invested several million dollars in the building and testing of an electric trolley bus, only to have the scheme scrapped 'because the transport bureau did not like the appearance of overhead electric wires'.

P. A. CRUSH, Sha Tin

Reputation tarnished

I am writing to state the position of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in regard to an incident last week in which a visitor stuck a drawing under one of the caption labels of the exhibition entitled 'Artists and Their Models - Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris'.

We condemn such irresponsible behaviour that might have tarnished the image of Hong Kong's museum-goers, who are seen as highly civic-minded.

Throughout the years, our museums have won the confidence of many prestigious institutions that bring world-class exhibitions to Hong Kong. The staging of the exhibits loaned from the Centre Pompidou is an honour for Hong Kong.

We wanted to give visitors the best view of the exhibits without compromising security.

The unsolicited drawing was stuck under a caption label placed outside the security protection zones. While the exhibits were not affected, we are seriously concerned about the incident and are investigating. Meanwhile, we have no choice but to enhance security measures at the expense of visitors, and appeal to the public for their kind understanding.

TANG HOI-CHI, chief curator

Hong Kong Museum of Art

Faith in religious arts

Unlike America, and many parts of the world, concerns of religious fanaticism are seemingly far away from Hong Kong people, but it would be short-sighted for universities not to strengthen religious studies as liberal arts subjects. These subjects are highly relevant to Hong Kong society.

Ethnic and racial studies allow students to know more of the diverse religious customs and traditions of non-Chinese citizens.

Asia has the largest Muslim population. The long-standing peaceful coexistence of diverse eclectic religious traditions has been lauded as a historical legacy and deserves to be studied.

Our university graduates are facing a brave new world where they will most likely need to travel abroad for their careers. Religious studies will nurture students' appetites for learning about other cultures and languages for future career challenges and continuing studies.

Religious studies in school should not be exclusively seen in a narrow sense of proselytising the younger generation. Through religious studies, students are able to cope much better with a multicultural world. In this sense, religious education empowers our students with critical understanding and bridges the cultural divide in this globalising world.

HO WAI-YIP, Sir Edward Youde fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Education

Hikers' encounter

Kevin Sinclair's article ('Rise of the macaque empire', October 10) reinforces our own experience. On Monday we walked from Route Twisk over Tai Mo Shan and Lead Mine Pass to Tai Po. Soon after leaving the Lead Mine Pass picnic site and joining the Wilson Trail down to Tai Po we were confronted by a large and very aggressive male macaque who blocked our path.

When we tried to persuade him to retreat he just bared his teeth and held his ground. It was a full five minutes before he climbed a tree and gave us the chance to pass him - and then he followed us down the path for quite a long way. It was frightening and might have had a less happy outcome.

We have enjoyed your wonderful hiking in Hong Kong for many years but this encounter, alongside another in Tai Po Kau last year, makes us consider the possible danger to all walkers - and specially those who walk alone or in pairs. The problem the monkeys cause needs to be remedied.

It would be tragic if their presence were to destroy the joy of hiking in Hong Kong.

MICHAEL SMITH, Hereford, England