Judging by the behaviour of these Chinese tourists, foreigners who have never visited China would get a culture shock and develop a negative impression of China. That would adversely affect not only the image but also the economy of China, in terms of its ability to attract tourists and talent.

As a Hongkonger, I think such incidents are one reason many people in the city lack a sense of belonging to the mainland. They think Hong Kong and the mainland have major cultural differences, ranging from social etiquette to values. As reflected in media reports, Hongkongers often see themselves as having a superior cultural and value system.

Watch: Chinese tourists brawl over makeup