As Hong Kong scrambles for talent to stem its brain drain, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin published an article in Ming Pao Daily and the South China Morning Post last month, stressing that an inclusive and open environment is what ultimately makes people feel welcome and motivates them to contribute to society.

Whether it is outright racial discrimination or subtle acts of micro-aggression and insensitivity, non-ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong continue to face prejudice and hostility from time to time in accessing retail services and looking for apartments.

“As a fairly homogenous society, it is easy for Hong Kong to get caught up in a majoritarian mindset,” wrote Mr Chu. “Further, a lack of natural interactions among people of different cultures, whether in the classroom, workplace or outside, results in biases not being addressed and becoming deep seated. Education from a young age, supported by strong public messaging, can help create a society that is accepting and respectful of differences.”

Besides uprooting lingering racism in the city, Hong Kong will do better with a clear mechanism for reviewing the effectiveness of current policies meant to support students who are learning Chinese as a second language. Without enough data, it is difficult to assess how Hong Kong can further help its non-ethnic Chinese youth overcome language barriers and realise their full potential in school and at work.

As Mr Chu said, “Hong Kong needs to position itself as an attractive place to live and work in. This has become a business and economic imperative. Let us use this opportunity to invest in building a society that values differences and become a world city in the truest sense.”

• Read the article in South China Morning Post
• Read the article in Ming Pao Daily (Chinese only)