Ricky Chu Man-kin

Opinion | Hong Kong is becoming more racially inclusive, but unconscious bias remains

Positive signs of progress include young people from ethnic minority backgrounds embracing their dual identity and greater public vigilance against discrimination

The next step is to increase representation and inclusion of minority groups in the media, politics and beyond to combat harmful stereotypes and ‘othering’

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A delivery rider in Central on September 30, 2022. Around half of food delivery couriers from ethnic minority groups say they have experienced discrimination while working, according to a survey last year. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Ricky Chu Man-kin

Published: 2:30pm, 22 Jan 2023

Race continues to be a major talking point globally, with governments and businesses in many parts of the world introducing new measures to combat racism. Companies are making racial diversity and inclusion a priority, several cities in the US have passed police reforms, and governments such as the UK are examining institutional racism.

Hong Kong, of course, cannot be unaffected by these global winds. However, their impact, and therefore the response to them, has not been as significant, either in the private or public sector. As head of the city’s equality watchdog that keeps an eye on race-related issues, let me share how I think Hong Kong has done in this area.

One of the positive developments I sense around me through observations and interactions with diverse communities is the changing profile of youth from backgrounds typically considered underprivileged. Data suggests that more local non-Chinese youth are entering tertiary education.

While some may still face hurdles in getting accepted onto their course of choice – primarily due to language proficiency requirements – having a tertiary-level qualification improves their employability.

The other subtle change I see is the increase in awareness and vocalisation of issues related to race and identity among youth from local non-Chinese communities, thanks in no small part to social media and worldwide trends. There is also a growing expression of their dual identity.

In a December 2022 study by MWYO, a youth-focused independent think tank, 60 per cent of respondents aged 12-17 from disadvantaged ethnic minority communities identified themselves as “Hong Kong people/Chinese” or as “ethnic identity + Hong Kong/Chinese”.