Hong Kong needs to do more to make its non-Chinese residents feel at home

Gary Wong wants the next chief executive to introduce new integration policies for the city’s non-ethnic-Chinese population, on issues from education and jobs to discrimination

Chief executive election 2017

Gary Wong Chi-him

Published: 12:30pm, 10 Mar 2017

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Given the current political climate in Hong Kong, there is an urgent need to not only bridge the adversarial divide but also rebuild social cohesion. Fighting for the disadvantaged to create a diverse, inclusive society remains one of my goals as a politician.

Despite Hong Kong’s privileged “small-circle” election system, the next chief executive must not turn a blind eye to the forgotten people in society, including the 450,000 non-ethnic-Chinese who account for 6 per cent of the total population.

Hong Kong’s next chief executive must better heed ethic minority views

Having spent time abroad, in places like Bangalore, Oxford and Shanghai, it is clear that a society free of discrimination is key to socio-economic development. Hong Kong, as a world city and home to thousands of migrants, should do more to ensure inclusion for non-ethnic-Chinese residents and empower them to lead a better life.

Thus, it is vital that all chief executive candidates acknowledge the importance of integration policies. On numerous occasions, I have heard non-ethnic-Chinese call for the term “ethnic minorities” to be discarded. Often associated with nationalities such as Indians, and others from South Asia, the term does not cover Caucasians, for example, who are also foreigners in this city.

Even though the community at large has no real bad intent in using the term, it nevertheless hints at discrimination. Concern groups have suggested alternatives such as “non-Chinese-speaking residents” and “non-Chinese Hongkongers”. With no solid solution yet, the next administration should tackle the issue.

Non-ethnic-Chinese residents call for a more inclusive education policy ahead of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s policy address, outside his office in Tamar on January 14. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Discriminatory language abounds in describing Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities

Then there is the problem of education and jobs. In 2014, a survey by the City University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Christian Service found that more than 60 per cent of non-ethnic-Chinese students aged 12 to 23 had only primary-school standard Chinese language proficiency. As many as 80 per cent of junior high school students and more than 50 per cent of their senior counterparts admitted that their Chinese standards had not improved beyond this level.

Hong Kong’s ethnic minority students ill-served by Chinese-language courses

These findings show there is a considerable gap between their standards of Chinese and that of the general Hong Kong populace. While a good number of non-ethnic-Chinese are fluent in spoken Cantonese, many cannot write or read it. The same survey also revealed that nearly 70 per cent of non-ethnic-Chinese workers and job-seekers believed that this inability was the main obstacle in their career or job searches.

Such limited job opportunities often mean that they end up in low-skilled work. Education is therefore the only way to tackle the employability and poverty problems of these local residents. Concern group Hong Kong Unison advocates allowing non-ethnic-Chinese children to start learning Cantonese in kindergartens. The government should take their advice to help break down the language and jobs barrier.

Hong Kong police officers of non-ethnic-Chinese origin pose for a photo on December 12. The city’s police force and Correctional Services Department have taken the lead to recruit non-ethnic-Chinese members. Photo: Edmond So

Unison calls for Hong Kong government to provide more support to non-Chinese-speaking parents choosing schools

Last but not least, non-ethnic-Chinese talent has been an undeniable asset to Hong Kong. Throughout history, they have played a significant role in serving and shaping the city. During colonial times, a number of ethnic Indians and Nepalese arrived to join the Royal Hong Kong Police Force.

The notable Ruttonjee Hospital was set up with the financial support of an ethnic Indian businessman, J. H. Ruttonjee. As locals, we should take a closer look at this history and acknowledge the contribution to the city of these people.

The Zubin Foundation charity is just one of many organisations in Hong Kong that aim to raise public awareness of the city’s non-ethnic-Chinese population, and eventually eliminate misconceptions in society.

Non-white ethnic minorities in Hong Kong most discriminated against in banking and property services, study finds

Moreover, public organisations should be more proactive in opening up opportunities for integration. While the Hong Kong Police Force and Correctional Services Department have taken the lead to recruit non-ethnic-Chinese members, such measures should be extended further, to other government departments.

And I look forward to the day when non-ethnic-Chinese participate in governance as ministers, and take up seats in the legislature.

In the past decade, working in local communities and during my Legislative Council election campaign, I have become acquainted with non-ethnic-Chinese residents who work hard and strive for excellence.

They are the unknown heroes who quietly contribute to the success of Hong Kong. Making full use of this drive will certainly help take development of the city to the next level.

To win the world is to win the people’s faith. If the next chief executive is determined to break down social divisions and once again establish mutual trust, he or she must address these issues and endeavour to implement new policies promoting integration for our non-ethnic-Chinese population.

Gary Wong Chi-him is governor of the think tank Path of Democracy

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: To be truly inclusive, HK must listen to its non-Chinese voices

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