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Homes flooded as water levels of the Yangtze River keep rising in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, on July 18. Vast swathes of China have been inundated by the worst flooding in decades along the Yangtze, with residents piling into boats and makeshift rafts to escape a deluge that has collapsed flood defences and turned homes into waterways. Photo: AFP

Letters | China floods: Hong Kong must show humanity for suffering compatriots

Chinese provinces along the Yangtze River are suffering from serious floods after heavy rainfall, with millions affected and hundreds dead or missing (“ Concerns grow as China braces for more heavy rains and floods”, July 18). There have also been substantial economic losses.
Despite the tragic situation, some Hongkongers posting online show little sympathy for the flood victims. They describe the disaster as “karma” for Beijing and its supporters. When rumours emerged that the Three Gorges Dam could no longer regulate the water flow and was on the brink of collapse, some wished that would become reality.
I recall the earthquake in Sichuan on May 12, 2008. Although I was in primary school, I vividly remember how Hongkongers – regardless of their political views – supported our compatriots with huge donations. Unfortunately, Hongkongers’ attitudes have deteriorated sharply since then.

Perhaps it is we who are to blame for the crumbling relationship between mainlanders and Hongkongers. Given the huge differences in political views between the two groups and some undesirable phenomena such as corruption on the mainland, many Hongkongers no longer feel proud to be Chinese.

Some apparently think that being Chinese is equal to being ignorant of good political values such as democracy and freedom. Some even see mainlanders as foes threatening the interests of our city.

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Are these stereotypes a good excuse to deride the flood victims? Putting national identities and political views aside, we are all human beings. If we look at our city, we see that we, too, are suffering from an economic downturn because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Would we expect mainlanders who don’t agree with our lifestyle to laugh at us? We need to learn to put ourselves in other peoples’ shoes before writing offensive posts online.

I hope Hongkongers, regardless of their views on mainlanders, can demonstrate some basic humanity towards those harmed by the disaster. Hatred towards the mainland will not benefit Hong Kong at all.

Henry Wong, Kennedy Town

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